IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


/l^o 


//A.     ^m        ^- 


(/. 


1.0 


I.I 


1.25 


1^1^    12.5 
lAO    11112.0 


IM.  1116 


y] 


0^1 


Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  MS80 

(716)  872-4S03 


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,v 


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rs"- 


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,^ 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Tachnical  and  Bibliographic  Notea/Notas  tachniquaa  at  bibliographiquaa 


Tha  Inatituta  haa  anamptad  to  obtain  tha  baat 
original  copy  availabia  for  filming.  Faaturaa  of  thia 
copy  which  may  ba  bibliographically  uniqua, 
which  may  altar  any  of  tha  imagaa  in  tha 
raproduction.  or  which  may  significantly  changa 
tha  uaual  mathod  of  filming,  ara  chackad  balow. 


D 


Colourod  covars/ 
Couvartura  da  coulaur 


I      I    Covers  damagad/ 


D 


Couvartura  andommagte 


Covars  rastorad  and/or  laminatad/ 
Couvartura  rastaur^a  at/ou  palliculAa 


r~~]    Covar  titia  missing/ 


La  titra  da  couvartura  manqua 


□    Coloured  mapa/ 
Cartas  gAographiquaa  an  coulaur 

□    Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 

I      I    Coloutrd  platea  and/or  illuatrationa/ 


a 


D 


0 


Planchaa  at/ou  illustrations  an  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
RalM  avac  d'autrea  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  re  liure  serr^e  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
diatorsion  le  long  da  la  marge  IntArieura 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  tha  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omined  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certainea  pages  blanches  ajouttes 
lors  d'una  restauration  appareiaaant  dana  le  texte, 
mala,  lorsqua  cela  Atait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pea  *t*  filmAea. 

Additional  comments:/  Various  pagingt. 

Commentairas  supplAmantairas: 


L'Institut  a  microfilm*  la  mat.'ieur  eaemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  itt  possible  de  se  procurer.  Las  details 
de  cet  axamplaira  qui  sont  peut-4tre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique.  qui  peuvant  modifier 
una  image  raproduite.  ou  qui  pauvent  axigar  una 
modification  dana  la  mAthode  normeia  de  fllmaga 
sont  indiquis  ci-dessous. 


□    Coloured  pages/ 
Pages 


Pagea  da  coulaur 

Rages  damaged/ 
Pages  andommegAea 

Pages  restored  and/or 

Pagea  rastaur*ea  at/ou  pallicul^es 

Pagea  discoloured,  stained  or  foxe< 
Pagea  d^colorAas,  tachatAes  ou  piquAas 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  dAtachies 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 

Quelity  of  prin 

QualltA  Inigala  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  materii 
Comprend  du  metiriel  supplAmentaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Mition  diaponibla 


r~~]  Pages  damaged/ 

I      I  Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 

r~7|  Pagea  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 

rn  Pages  detached/ 

r~r]  Showthrough/ 

r~~1  Quelity  of  print  variaa/ 

I      I  Includes  supplementary  material/ 

r~~l  Only  edition  available/ 


□    Pagea  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc..  have  been  rafilmad  to 
ensure  tha  bast  possible  image/ 
Lea  pages  totalamant  ou  partiallemant 
obacurcias  per  un  feuillet  d'arrata.  una  palure. 
etc..  ont  4ta  film*as  A  nouveau  da  facon  i 
obtenir  la  mailleure  image  possible. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  tha  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ca  document  ast  film*  au  taux  da  r*duction  indiqu*  ci-deaaoua. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


L 


/ 


12X 


16X 


20X 


^JX 


30X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


Th«  copy  filmed  h«r«  has  b««n  raproduesd  thanka 
to  tha  ganarosity  of: 

The  Now  Sootia 
LagMidw  Library 


L'axamplalra  film*  fut  raproduit 
g«n«roait«  da: 

ThcNonSeotta 
Ugliltiw  Library 


grleaAia 


Tha  Imagaa  appaaring  hara  ara  tha  baat  quality 
poasibia  conaidaring  tha  condition  and  lagiblHty 
of  tha  original  copy  and  in  Icaaping  with  tha 
filming  contract  spacifications. 


Laa  imagaa  auhrantaa  ont  it*  raprodultaa  avac  la 
plua  grand  toin.  compta  tanu  da  la  condition  at 
da  la  nattat*  da  l'axamplalra  film*,  at  an 
conf  ormM  avac  laa  conditions  du  contrat  da 
fllmaga. 


Original  copias  in  printad  papar  covara  ara  fllmad 
beginning  with  tha  front  covar  and  anding  on 
tha  last  paga  with  a  printad  or  illustratad  impras- 
sion,  or  tha  bacit  covar  whan  appropriata.  Ail 
otitar  original  coplaa  ara  filmad  beginning  on  tha 
first  paga  wKh  a  printad  or  illuatratad  impraa- 
sion,  and  anding  on  tha  last  paga  with  a  printad 
or  illustratad  impraasion. 


Tha  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  tite  symbol  <^^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Les  exempiairea  originaux  dont  la  couvartura  en 
papier  eat  imprimia  sont  film*s  an  commen^nt 
par  la  premier  plat  at  en  termlnant  solt  par  la 
dami*f«  paga  qui  comporta  une  emprainta 
d'impreaaion  ou  d'iliuatration,  soit  par  la  aacond 
plat,  aalon  la  caa.  Toua  lee  autrae  axamplairaa 
originaux  sont  film*s  an  commandant  par  la 
pramiire  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impreaaion  ou  d'iliuatration  at  en  termlnant  par 
la  darniire  paga  qui  comporta  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  dee  symbolea  suivants  apparaftra  sur  la 
dernl*re  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  la  symbole  — ^  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbole  Y  signifie  "FIN". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartas,  pianettes,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  Atre 
fiim*e  i  dee  taux  de  rMuction  diffirents. 
Loreque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atra 
raproduit  en  un  seul  clich*,  il  est  fHm*  i  pertir 
de  i'angle  supirieur  gauche,  de  gauche  *  droHe. 
et  de  haut  an  bas,  an  pranant  la  nombre 
d'imagea  nicaaaaire.  Las  diagrammas  suivants 
iilustrant  la  mithoda. 


1  2  3 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

m  fM^.^^^^^m^^^*fw^.  :WW^mhmmmi 


7-^ 


THE    DODGE    CLUB; 


OR, 


ITALY  IN   MDCCCLIX. 


By  JAMES  DE  MILLE, 

AUTHOR  OF  "CORD  AND  CREESE;  OR,  THE  BRANDON  MYSTERY,"  ETC.,  ETC 


tDUl)  (Dne  ^nnbteh  3llustrationo. 


NEW    YORK: 

HARPER    &    BROTHERS,    PUBLISHERS, 


FRANKLIN    SQUARE. 
O  _  - 


I  y 


4^ 

3 


By  Prof.  JAMES  DE  MILLE. 


THE  DODGE  CLUB;  or,  Italy  in  1859.    Illustrated.    8vo,  Paper,  75  cents  : 
Cloth,  %\  25. 

CORD   AND   CREESE.     A  Novel.     Illustrated.     Svo,  Paper,  75  cents  j 
Cloth,  $1  25.    . 

THE   CRYPTOGRAM,    A  Novel.    Illustrated.    Svo,  Paper,  $1  50 ;  Cloth, 

%2   00. 

THE  AMERICAN  BARON.    A  Novel.    Illustrated.    Svo,  Paper,  «i  co  • 
Cloth,  $1  so.  '      i'    .  *-        . 

THE  LIVING  LINK.   A  Novel.   Illustrated.   Svo,  Paper,  $1  00;  Cloth,  $1  50. 


Published  by  HARPER  &  BROTHERS,  New  York. 
^3r  S<»f  h  w"'^.  tostage  prepaid,  to  any  part  of  the  United  States,  on  receipt  of  the  price. 


7c?^2- 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1869,  by 

HARPER  &  BROTHERS, 

In  the  Ofl5ce  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 


^.'- 


CONTENTS. 


.. 


'^Tl 


CHAPTER  I. 

PARIS. — THE     DODOE    CLCB. — HOW     TO 
FRENCH. — HOW  TO  RAISE  A  CROWD... 


SPEAK 
...         6 


iLLrsTBATiosii Dirk!— Her*  I  InTitemy  Friends ^The 

Club.— The  I'Uxe  V'eiidume.— Keep  It,  Battooal 

CHAPTER  IL 

ORLEANS. — HOW  TO  QCELL  A  LANDLORD. — HOW 
TO  FIOHT  OFF  HUMBUGS  ;  AND  HOW  TO  TRAVEL 
■•VlTHOnT   BAGGAGE 10 

iLi.cgTSATioifS.— That'll  a  Hotel  BUI.— Cicero  agaloat 
Verrea Sac-r-r-r-re ! 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE   RHONE  IN  A  RAIN. THE   MAD  FRENCHMAN. 

— SUICIDE  A  CAPITAL  CRIME  IN  FRANCE...       13 

iLLCSTSATio:**.— Number  729.— Uorror!    Defpairt 


CHAPTER  IV. 


MARSEILLES. 


u 


CHAPTER  V. 


THE  RETIRED  ORGAN-GRINDER. — THE  SENATOR 
PHILOSOPHIZES. — EVILS  OF  NOT  HAVING  A 
PASSPORT 15 

iLirsTBA' 


T 


KB. — Tliose  lUliam.— Uenoa,  the  Superb. 

CHAPTER  VI. 

LAZARONT  AND  MACARONI 17 

iLLUBTBATiONfi.  —  Tlieir  Noble  ExcellcQciea.  —  Lazaroni 
and  MacarouL 

CHAPTER  VII. 

t>OLORES. — AN  ITALIAN  MAID  LEARNS  ENGLISH. — 
A  ROMANTIC  ADVENTURE. — A  MASQUERADE, 
AND  WHAT  HKFELL  THE  SENATOR. — A  CHARM- 
ING DOMINO. — A  MOONLIGHT  WALK,  AND  AN 
ASTOUNDING  DISCOVERY 19 

Iti.csTmTioNs.— Y»nkpe  Do<vlIe._I  Ki»«  Ilnnds Tlie 

Voung  llua»ar.— A  I'erplexed  Senator Exit  Senator. 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

ADVENTURES  AND  MISADVENTURES. — A  WET 
GROTTO  AND  A  BOILING  LAKE. — THE  TWO  PAIR 
SPANIARDS,  AND  THE  DONKET  RIDE 24 

Iu.mTR\TiONg.— Dam  11!  Don't.— Thump  1  — A  Tiding 
Moment — Senator  and  Donkey. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

A  DRIVE  INTO  THE  COUNTRY. — A  FIOHT  WrfH  A 
VETTCRINO. — THE  EFFECT  OF  EATING  "HARD 
BOILED  EGGS." — WHAT  THEY  SAW  AT  PJiSTUM. 
— FIVE  TEMPLES  AND  ONIi,  "MILL." '2S 

iLLCSntATioNC— "  Do  You  See  That  T'— The  Mill  at  Fle«- 
tuni. 

CHAPTER  X. 

ON  THE  WATER,  WHERE  BCTTONS  SEES  A  lOSl 
IDEA  AND  GIVER  CHASE  TO  IT,  TOGETHER  WITH 
THE  HEART-SICKENING  RESULTS  THEREOF.    33 

Illcbtrations.  —  Tlie  Spaniard* "A  Tbouiand  Par- 
don* i"  • 

CHAPTER  XI. 

THE  SENATOR  HAS  SUCH  A  FANCY  FOR  SEEKING 
USEFUL  information!— CURIOUS  POSITION  OF 
A  WISE,  AND  WELL-KNOWN,  AND  DESERVEDLY- 
POPULAR  LEGISLATOR,  AND  UNDIGNIFIED  MODE 
fF  HIS  ESCAPE 35 

iLLCSTBATiON.— The  Senator. 

CHAPTER  XII. 

BERCULANEUM  AND  POMPEII,  AND  ALL  THAT  THE 
SIGHT  OF  THOSE  FAMOUS  PLACES  PRODUCED 
ON  THE  MINDS  OF  THE  DODOE  CLDB 37 

Iii.rsTRATTONR.— Villa  of  DIomedea.— Pliewl— A  Street 
in  Pompeii. 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

VESUVIUS. — WONDERFUL  ASCENT  OF  THE  CONE. 
— WONDERFUL  DESCENT  INTO  THE  CRATER. — 
AND  MOST  WONDERFUL  DISAPPEARANCE  OF 
MR.  FIGGS,  AFTER  WHOM  ALL  HIS  FRIENDS  GO, 

WITH  THEIR  LIVES   IN  THEIR  HANDS. GREAT 

SENSATION  AMONG  SPECTATORS 40 

iLMTBTnATinss.— The  Ascent  of  Ve«uvin«. — The  Descent 
of  Vcsuviui— Where's  Figgs  !•— Mr.  FIggs.— The  Ladies. 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

MAGNIFICENT  ATTITUDE  OF  THE  SENATOR;  BRIL- 
LIANCY OP  BUTTONS  ;  AND  PLUCK  OF  THE  OTH- 
ER MEMBERS  OF  THE  CLUB  :  BY  ALL  OF  WHICH 
THE  GREATEST  EFFECTS  ARE  PRODUCED.        47 

iLLrsTBATioNS.— The  Bandits  Captured Sold. 

CHAPTER  XV. 

DOLORES  ONCE  MORE. — A  PLEASANT  CONVERSA- 
TION.— BUTTONS  LEARNS  MORE  OP  HIS  YOUNG 
i:Hlb.>t>. AtlfcCIl.NU  ifAltt.Wi.LL OO 

iLLCffFBATioNs.— "Tiro  Hastresl- The  Brare  Soldier. 


CONTENTS. 


CIIAl'TEU  XVI. 

TICK  HELATKS  A  FAMILY  LEGEND 63 

Ii.Li.'lTBAno<iB — UtiylDg  a  Whale.— The  Long-lojt  Boa. 

CIIAITER  XVir. 

MfJIITOSTlIE  ROAD. — TIIECLnn  ASLKEP. — THEY 
KNTEB  ROME. — THOUGHTS  O.N  AI-l-KoACIII.NO 
AND  ENTERINO  "THE  ETERNAL  CITY." 5(i 

Ilmstoatios.— To  Rome. 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

A  LETTER  BY  DICK,  AND  CIIITICISMS  OP  1II« 
FRIENDS C6 

CHArrER  XIX. 
«T.  Peter's  ! — the  tragic  story  of  the  fat 

MAN  IN  the  DALL. — HOW  ANO;MIEK  TRAGEDY 
NEARLY  HAPI'ENED. — THE  WOES  OF  MEINHERR 
8CHATT 67 

IixcsTBATiON "Graclotu  Mo:*' 

CIIAITER  XX. 

THE  OI/)RT,  (JRANDECR,  nEAtrTT,  AND  INPnOTE 
VARIETY  OP  THE  PINCIAN  HILL;  NARRATED 
AND    DETAILED    NOT    COLUMNARILT    BUT    EX- 

•  IIArSTIVELY,  AND  AFTER  THE  MANNER  OF  RA- 
BELAIS        CO 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

niRMONT   ON   THE  PINCIAN  HILL. — MUSIC   HATH 

CHARMS. AMERICAN  MELODIES. — THE  GLORY, 

THE  POWER,  AND  THE  BEAUTY  OF  YANKEE 
DOODLE,  AND  THE  MERCENARY  SOUL  OF  \n 
ITALIAN  ORGAN-GRINDER 60 

Illcbtkatios. — Old  V'lrginny. 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

HOW  A  BARGAIN   IS   MADE. — THE  WILES  OF  THE 

ITALIAN     TRADESMAN. THE     NAKED     SULKY 

BEGGAR,  AND  THE  JOVIAL  WELL-CLAD  BEG- 
GAR.— WHO  IS  THE  KINO  OF  OEGGABS?...      62 

iLUBTBAnON.— TllO  SlliUS. 

CIIAITER  XXIII. 

THE  MANIFOLD  LIFE  OF  THE  CAFE  NfOTO,  AND 
HOW  THEY  RECEIVED  THE  NEWS  ABOUT  MAGEN- 
TA.— EXCITEMENT. — ENTHUSIASM. —  TEARS. — 
EMBRACES C4 

Illcstbation News  of  Magcnt:i ! 

CIIAITER  XXIV. 

CHECKMATE  1 65 

Illcstuatios.— Before  anil  Aflcr. 

CHAPTER  XXV. 

BUTTONS  A  M.VN  OP  ONE  IDEA.  — DICK  AND  HIS 
MEASURING  TAI'K. — DARK  EVES. — SUSCEPTI- 
BLE HEART.— YOUNG  MAIDEN  WHO  LIVES  OUT 
OF  TOWN. GRAND  COLLISION  OF  TWO  AB- 
STRACTED LOVERS  IN  THE  I-nni.IC  STnEJiTS.    GO 

iLLCBTRvnoNi— Away  :_PcpIta. 


CIIAITER  XXVI. 

CONSEQUENCES  OF  BEING  GALLANT  IN  ITALY, 
WHERE  THERE  ARE  LOVERS,  HUSBANDS,  BROTH- 
ERS, FATHERS,  COUSINS,  AND  INNUMKHABLE 
OTHER  RELATIVES  AND  CONNECTIONS,  ALL 
READY  WITH  THE  STILETTO C9 

iLLKBTaATio.i.— An  InWrniptiuu. 

CHAPTER  XXVII. 

DICK  ON  THE  SICK  LIST.— RAPTURE  OF  BUTTONS 
AT  MAKING  AN  IMPORTANT  DISCOVERY....      71 
ILLCSTIUTION.— Poor  Dick  1 

CIIAITER  XXVIII. 

WHAT  KIND  Ol  a  LETTER  THE  SENATOR  Wl:OTE 
FOR  THE  "NEW  ENGLAND  PATRIOT,"  WHiril 
SHOWS  A  TRUE,  LIBERAL,  UNBIASED,  PLAIN,  UN- 
TARNISHED VIEW  OF  ROME 73 

Iu.i'aTB.iTiON SkctchFii  by  a  Friend. 

CHAPTER  XXIX. 

THE  LONELY  ONE  AND  HIS  COMFORTER. — THE 
TRUE  MEDICINE  FOB  A  SICK  MAN 7j 

CHAPTER  XXX. 

OCCUPATIONS  AND  PEREGRINATIONS  OF  BUT- 
TONS        77 

iLurBTHATiON Buttons  and  Murray. 

CHAPTER  XXXI. 

BUTTONS  ACTS  THE  GOOD  SAMARITAN,  AND  LIT- 
ERALLY UNEARTHS  A  MOST  UNE.XPECTED  VIC- 
TIM OF  AN  ATROCIOUS  ROBBERY. — GH-R-R-A- 
CIOU8  MEI 77 

CHAPTER  XXXII. 

ANOTHER  DISCOVERY  MADE    BY  IIUTTONS....      78 

CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

UptKltilK  Koa^  KOa^  KOti^ •/•..*..       79 

ILLCSTUATION.— Brokckekek  Koax  Koax  1 

CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

THE  SENATOR  PURSUES  HIS  INVESTIGATIONS. — AS 
INTELLIGENT  ROMAN  TOUCHES  A  CHORD  IN  THE 
senator's  heart  THAT  VIBRATES. — KLSUI.TS 
OFTIIE  VIBRATION. — .V  VISIT  FROM  THE  ROMAN 
POLICE  ;  AND  THE  GREAT  RACE  DOWN  THE  COR- 
80  BETWEEN  THE  SENATOR  AND  A  ROMAN  SPY. 
— GLEE  OF  THE  POPULACE  I — HI  !    HI  !....      80 

iLLCBTEATio.NS.— Got  You  Tlicro  I— Walking  .Sp.iul»h. 

CHAPTER  XXXV. 

DICK  MAKES  ANOTHER  EFFORT,  AND  BEGINS  TO 
FEEL  E.NCOURAGED 83 

iLLPBTBATio.x.— Dick  Tliinks  It  Over. 

CIIAITER  XXXVI. 

SnOwiSC-  ilOr,"  E-IFr:C::LT  IT  is  TO  gi;t  A  LXUS- 
DBES8,   FOR  THE    SENATOR  WANTEU   ONE,  AND 


CONTENTS. 


KOT  KXOWINO  TIIE  LASOUAOE  COT  INTO  A 
8CUAFE,  NOT  IIV  HIS  OWN  FAULT,  F«K  UK  WAS 
CAKEFCL   AUOfT    COMMITTING    liIMt>KLr    WITH 

TUB  LADIKS ;  hct  ••hat,  was  it  his  fault 

IF  THE  LADIES  WOULD  TAKE  A  FANCY  TO 
HIM  ? M 

Ir.UHTiivTioNg.— Tlie  Scnntur  In  a  Bod  Fix. — The  Scci- 
tiT  in  a  W'jrao  Fix. 

CIIAPTEU  XXXVII. 

Uomt.  —  Anciml  Iliftori/. — THE  PHEHISTORIC 
KKA. — CHITICAL  EXAMINATION  OP  NIEHIIIH 
AND  HIS  gmiOOL. — THE  EAKLT  HISTOUV  OF 
nOME  PLACED  ON  A  Kir.HT  BASIS. — KXI'LANA- 
TION  OF  HISTORY  OF  REI'MILIC. — NAPOLEON's 
"C.T.SAR."  —  THE  IMPERIAL  REGIME. — TIIE 
SOUTHERN  B.4RI1ARIAXS. — RISE  OF  THE  FA- 
PACY. — MEDI.EVAL  ROME. 

7\i}m/ril/llll/. — TRUE  ADJUSTMENT  OF  BOUNDS  OF 
ANCIENT  CITY. — ITS  PROUAULE  POPULATION. — 
<,'eo/o()l/. — EXAMINATION  OF  FORMATION.  — 
TUFA  TRAVERTINE. — ROMAN  CEMENT. — TERRA- 
COTTA.— Special  consideration  of  Roman  Cata- 
combs.— DOSIO. — ARRI.NGHI.^AUDINAL  WISE- 
MAN. —  RECENT  EXPLORATIONS,  INVESTIGA- 
TIONS, EXAMINATIONS,  EXHUMATIONS,  AND  RE- 
SUSCITATIONS.—  EARLY  CHRISTIAN  HISTORY 
BET  ON  A  TRUE  BASIS. — RELICS. — MARTYRS. 
— REAL  ORIGIN  OF  CATACOMBS. — TRUE  AND 
UELIAllLE  EXTENT  (WITII  MAPS). 

liemarkson  Art. — THE  renaissance. — the  ear- 
ly PAI.NTEHS  :  CIMABUE,  GIOTTO,  PERUGINO, 
UAFAELLE  SANZIO,  MICHELANGELO  BUONAROT- 
TI. — THE   TRANSFIGURATION. — TIIE    MOSES   OF 

MICHELANGELO. BELLINI. —  SAINT    FETER'S, 

AND  MORE  PARTICULARLY  TIIE  COLONNADE. — 
THE  LAST  JUDGMENT. — DANTE. — TIIE  MEDLE- 
VAL  SPIRIT. — EFFECT  OF  GOTHIC  ART  ON  ITALY 
AND  ITALIAN  TASTE. — COMPARISON  OF  LOM- 
BARD WITH  SICILIAN  CHURCHES. — TO  WHAT 
E.XTENT  ROME  INFLUENCED  THIS  DEVELOP- 
MENT.—  THE  FOSTERING  SPIRIT  OF  THE 
CHURCH. — ALL  MODERN  ART  CHRISTIAN. — 
WHY  THIS  WAS  A  NECESSITY. — FOLLIES  OF 
MODERN  CRITICS. — REYNOLDS  AND  RUSKIN. — 
HOW  FAR  POPULAR  TASTE  IS  WORTH  ANY 
THING*— CONCLUDING  REMARKS  OF  A  MISCEL- 
L.VNKOCS   DESCRIPTION 88 

CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 

ITALIAN  TRAVEL,  ROADS,  INNS. — A  GHAND  BREAK- 
DOWN. —  AN  ARMY  OP  BEOOARS.  —  SIX  MEN 
IIU.NTING  UP  A  CARRIAGE  WHEEL;  AND  PLANS 
OF  THE  SENATOR  FOR  THE  GOOD  OF  ITALY.    88 

Travelling  in  Italv Tlie  Scnntor'a  Es- 


iLU'STttATIONS. 

,  Curt. 


\ 


CIIArTEU  XXXIX. 

iniUMPHANT  PROGRESS  OF  DICK. — GENDARMES 
FOILED. — THE  DOIKIE  CLUU  IS  ATTACKED  BY 
BRKiANDS,  AND  EVERY  MAN  OF  IT  COVERS  HIM- 
SELF WITH  GLORY.  —  SCREAM  OF  THE  AMERI- 
CAN eagle! 91 

Ii.n-KTBATioxa.— Dicl{  in  liia  Glory.— Pietro Tlie  Barri- 

cuUu. 

CHAPTER  XL. 

PLEASANT  MEDITATIONS  ABOUT  THE  WONDERS  OF 
I  tJi:  l.v'i*  ;  ANIJ  TiiHi^Ij  FLI^AoAKT  ANECIiOTUS 
BY  AN    ITALIAN  BRIGAND 'J'l 


CHAPTER  XLI. 

FINAL  ATTACK  OF  REIWFORCEMENTS  OF  BRIO- 
AND8. — THE  DODGE  CLDU  DEFIES  THEH  AND 
REPELS  THKM. — HOW  TO  MAKE  A  BARRICADE. 
— FRATERNIZATION  OF  AMERICAN  F.AOLE  AND 
GALLIC  COCK. — there's  NOTUINO  LIKE  LEATH- 
ER        'J(i 

iLLCSTKATioil Ao  InlenutloDAl  ASUr. 

CHAPTER  XLIL 

FLORENCE. — DE8PF.RATION  OF  BCTT0K8,  OF  SIR. 
FIUG8,  AND  OF  THE  DOCTOR UJ 

ILLCBTKAT10N8.— Florence,  from  San  Miniato. — Pittl  Pal- 
ace,— Fuiinlaiii  of  Neptune,  Palazzo  Vccclila — The  l)u. 
OHIO.  —  Tlie  Campanile.  —  Struul  Palace.  —  Button! 
Mclancliuly. 

CIIAITER  XLIII. 

THE  SENATOR  ENTRAPPED. — TIIE  WILES  AND 
WITCHERY  OF  X  giTEER  OF  SOCIETY.  —  HIS 
FATE  DESTINED  TO  BE,  AS  HE  THINKS,  ITALIAN 

COUNTESSES. — SENTIMENTAL  CONVERSATION. 

POETRY. — BEAUTY  — MOONLIGHT. —  RAPTURE. 
— DISTRACTION. — BLISS  ! 103 

Illvstiutios.— La  Clca. 

CHAPTER  XLIV. 

"MORERE  DIAGORA,  RON  ENIM  IN  CCELCW  AD- 
SCENSURUS  ES." — TIIE  APOTHEOSIS  OF  THE 
SENATOR  (nothing  LESS — IT  WAS  A  MOMENT 
IN  WHICH  A  MAN  MIGHT  'WISII  TO  DIE — 
THOUGH,  OF  COURSE,  THE  SENATOR  DIDN'T 
DIE) IOC 

Illcstbations.— Solforino!— The  Senator  Speaka. 
CHAPTER  XLV. 

THE  PRIVATi:  OPINION  OF  THE  DOCTOR  AIIOIT 
FOREIGN  TRAVEL.  —  BUTTONS  STILL  MEETS 
WITH  AFFLICTIONS lOi* 

Illustbations.— .V  Grease  Spot.— Farewell,  Flggs! 
CHAPTER  XLVI. 

A  MEMORABLE  DRIVE. — NIGHT. — THE  BRIGANDS 
ONCE  MORE.— garibaldi's  NAME. — THE  FIRE. 
— THE  IRON  BAR. — THE  MAN  FROM  THE  GRAN. 
ITE  STATE  AND  IIIS  TWO  BOYS Ill 

iLt.rsTn.vTioxa.— In  the  Coach A  Free  Fight— Don't 

SpuilE. 

CHAPTER  XLVII. 

BAD  BRUISES,  BUT  GOOD  MUSES. — TIIE  HON- 
ORABLE SCARS  OP  DICK. — A  KNOWLEDGE  OF 
BONES ll."> 

CHAPTER  XL VIII. 

SUFFERING  AND  SENTIMENT  AT  BOLOGNA. — MOON- 
SHINE.— BEST  BALM  FOB  WOUNDS. 117 

Illlbtr  vTioN. — Used  Up. 

CHAPTER  XLIX. 

CROSSING  INTO  THE  ENEMY'S  COUNTBY.^-CON- 
STERNATION  OF  THE  CUSTOM-HOUSE  OFFI- 
p.-ns lis 

Ili.istuvti'in.  — lint  o:l<  in  Dili'. 


.^gl-p 


SK^*A 


\i^*> 


•*y 


v<i'ti'~t7.Jt 


^^^ 
'-  -1^^i 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  L. 


VENICE  AND  ITS  PCCCLIAR  OLOBT.— TUB   DODOE 

CLUII  COMB  TOORIEF  AT  LAST. — UP  A  TBEE. 

IS  A  KET,  ETC 119 

IixcrnuTioxi  — Dlck'i  Lugssgc— AnuM.— SUencet 

CHAITEU  LI. 

THE  AMKRICAN  EAOLE  AND  THE  AUSTRIAN  DOUB- 

LE-IIEADUU  DITTO 11>2 

JU.i'STRATio:< — "Don't  Try  It  On  WUh  Me!" 

CHAPTER  Lll. 

THE  SENATOR  STILL  ENOAOED  IN  FACING  DOWN 
THE  AUSTRIAN. — THE  AMERICAN  CONSUL. — 
UNEXPECTED  RE-APPEARANCE  OF  FORGOTTEN 
THINGS. — COLLAPSE  OF  THE  COURT IJ-t 

iLi.DBTBATioN W»tU  Ml».«peIIed. 

CHAPTER  Llir. 

i  MYSTERIOUS  FLIGHT. — DESPAIR  OF  nUTTONS. 
— PURSUIT. — HISTORIC  GROUND,  AND  HISTORIC 
CITIES 120 

lLLlSTXATia.N FormnliliMk 


CHAPTER  LIV. 


DICK  MEETS  AN  OLD  FRIEND.— TRC  EMOTIONAt 
NATURE  OF  THE  ITALIAN.— THE  SENATOR  OVER. 
COME   AND   DUMBFOUNDED 128 

Illcbthatiom Tbe  Count  Igo. 

CHAl'TER  LV. 

IN  WHICH  nUTIONS  WRITES  A  LETTER  ;  AND  IN 
WHICH  THE  (Lirn  LO.SES  AN  IMPORTANT  MEM- 
BER.— SMALL  UY  DEGREES  AND  BEAUTIFULLT 
LESS 129 

CHAPTER  LVI. 

THE  FAITHFUL  ONE  !  —  DARTS,  DISTRACTION, 
love's  VOWS,  OVERPOWERING  SCENE  AT  THE 
MEETING  OF  TWO  FOND  ONES. — COMPLETE 
BREAK-DOWN  OF  THE  HISTORIAN 130 

Illcstiatiom The  Door. 

CHAPTER  LVII. 

THE  DODOE  CLUB  IN  PARIS  ONCE  MORE. — BDT- 
TONS'S  "JOLLY  GOOD  HEALTH." 132 

lLi.C(TBATiO!i.'~"Ue'a  t  JoUy  Good  Fallow  t" 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


CHAPTER  I. 

PARI?. — THE  DODOE   CLUB. — HOW   TO  SPEAK 
FIIENCU.— now   TO   KAISE  A   CKOWD. 

It  is  a  glorions  day  in  Paris.  The  whole 
city  is  out  in  the  public  places,  wntchinp  the 
departure  of  the  army  of  Italy.  Every  imagi- 
nable uniform,  on  foot  and  on  horseback,  en- 
livens t!io  scene.  Zouaves  are  CTerv'where. 
Cent  Gardes  hurry  to  and  fro,  looking  ferocious. 
Imperial  Gardes  look  magniflccnt.  Innumera- 
ble little  red-legged  soldiers  of  the  line  dance 
about,  gesticulating  vehemently.  Grisettcs 
"uig  aboiii  iiie  necks  of  depariing  braves.  A 
great  m:iny  tears  are  shed,  and  a  great  deal  of 


bombast  nttered.  For  the 
invincible  aoldiers  of  France 
are  off  to  flght  fur  an  idea ; 
and  doesn't  every  one  of 
them  carry  a  marshal's  ba- 
ton in  his  knapsack  ? 

A  troop  of  Cent  Gardes 
oomes  thundering  down  in 
a  cloud  of  dust,  dashing  the 
people  right  and  left.  Loud 
cheers  arise  :  "  Vivo  I'Em- 
pcrenr ! "  The  hoarse  voices 
of  myriads  prolong  the  yell. 
It  is  Louis  Napoleon.  He 
touches  his  hat  gracefully 
to  the  crowd. 

A  chasseur  leaps  into  • 
cab. 

"Where  shall   I   take 
you  ?" 

"ToGlorj-!"  shouti  the 
soldier. 

The  crowd  applaud.  The 
cabman  drives  off  and  don't 
want  any  further  direction. 
Ilere  a  big-bearded  Zou- 
avo  kisses  his  big-bearded 
brother  in  a  blouse. 

"Adieu,    mon    frfere; 
write  me." 

"Where  shall  I  write?" 
"  Direct  to  Vienna— yojre 
rcstante." 

Every    body   laughs  at 
every  thing,  and  the  crowd 
^^^  -  ""  "-'  are  quite  wild  at  this. 

A  young  man  is  perched 
npon  a  pillar  Dc&rjhp  gar- 
den wall  of  the  Tuileries.  lie  enjoys  Wiiilcene 
immensely.  After  a  while  he  takes  a  clay  pipe 
from  his  pocket  and  slowly  fills  it.  Having  com- 
pleted this  business  he  draws  a  match  along 
the  stone  and  is  just  about  lighting  his  pipe. 
"Halloo!" 

Down  drops  the  lighted  match  on  the  niaik 
of  an  ouvrier.     It  bums.     The  man  scowls  iq^ 
but  seeing  the  cause,  smiles  and  wares  his  hand 
forgivingly. 
"Dick':" 

At  this  a  young  man  in  the  midst  of  the 
crowd  stops  and  looks  around.  He  is  a  short 
young  man,  m  whose  face  there  is  a  strange 
mi.\turc  of  innocence  and  shrewdness.     He  is 


II 


THE  DODGE  CLUB  j  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLDC. 


ill 


I 


polling  a  bnbv-cnrriagc,  containing  a  amall 
ii->orimon  of  French  nationaiit/,  and  behind 
him  walks  a  majcitic  fenialo. 

The  young  man  Dick  takci  a  quick  inrvcy 
and  recogniwi  iho  pcnon  who  has  called  him. 
Down  drops  Iho  j^lo  of  tho  carrinpc,  and,  to 
tho  horror  of  the  majestic  female,  he  dorts  off, 
iind,  springing  up  tl>c  pillar,  grasps  tirst  the  foot 
and  then  the  hand  of  his  friend. 

"Buttons !"  ho  cried  j  "  what,  you  !  you  hero 
in  Paris  !" 

"1  t>clicTO  I  am." 

"  Why,  when  did  yon  come  ?  ' 

"  About  a  month  nRo." 

"  I  had  no  idea  of  it.  I  Jidat  know  yon 
were  here." 

"And  I  didn't  know  that  yon  were.  I 
thought  by  this  time  that  you  were  in  Italv. 
What  has  kept  ypu  hero  so  long  ?" 

Dick  looked  confused. 

"  Why  the  fact  is,  I  am  ntudying  German. " 

"  German !  in  Paris  J     yrench,  you  mean." 

"No,  German." 

"  You're  crazy ;  who  with  ?" 

Dick  nodded  his  head  toward  his  late  com- 
panion. 

"  What,  that  woman  ?     How  she  is  scowlinc 

:it  DS !"  ^ 

"Is  she?"  said  Dick,  with  some  trepidation. 

"Yes.  But  don't  look.  Have  vou  been 
with  her  all  the  time  ?" 

"Yes,  seven  months." 

"  Studying  German  !"  cried  Buttons,  with  a 
111  ugh.     "Who  is  she?" 

"  Madame  Bang." 


UESE  I  lirviIJ  IIT  rBlESTB. 


"Bang?  Well,  Madame  Bang  must  look 
out  for  another  lodger.  You  must  come  with 
me,  young  man.  Yon  need  a  guardian.  It's 
well  that  I  came  in  time  to  rescue  you  Let's 
be  off!" 

And  the  two  youths  descended  and  were 
soon  lust  in  the  crowd. 

"  Three  flights  of  steps  ore  bad  enon;;h  ;  bni 
great  Ilcarcns  !  what  do  you  moan  by  taking  a 
follow  up  to  the  eighth  story  ? " 

Such  was  tho  exclamation  of  Dick  as  ho  fell 
exhausted  into  a  seat  in  a  little  room  nt  the  top 
of  ono  of  the  tallest  houses  in  Paris. 
"  Eoonomy,  my  dear  bov. " 
"  Khem !" 

"Paris  is  overflowing,  and  I  could  get  no 
other  place  without  paying  an  enormous  price. 
Now  I  om  trjing  to  hubhand  my  means. " 
"I  should  think  so." 
"I  sleep  here — " 
"  And  have  plenty  of  bedfellows." 
"  I  eat  hero — " 

"The  powers  of  tho  human  stomach  are  as. 
tounding." 

"And  here  I  invito  my  friends." 
"Friends   only,  I   should   think.     Nothing 
but  tho  truest  friendship  could  maKo   a  maa 
hold  out  in  such  an  ascent." 

"But  come.     What  arc  yonr  plans  ?" 
"  I  have  none." 

"  Then  you  must  league  yourself  with  me." 
"I  shall  bo  delighted." 
"  And  I'm  going  to  Italy." 
"  Then  I'm  afraid  onr  league  is  already  at  an 
end." 

"Why?" 

"  I  haven't  money  enough." 
"  IIow  much  have  you  ?" 
"  Only  fivo  hundred  dollars  ;  I've 
spent  all  tho  rest  of  my  allowance." 

"Fivo  hundred?  Why,  man,  I 
have  only  four  hundred." 

"What!  and  you're  going  toltaly?" 
"Certainly." 

"  Then  I'll  go  too  and  mn  the  risk. 
But  is  this  the  stylo  ?"  and  Dick  looked 
dolefully  arbnnd. 

"  By  no  means— not  always.  But 
you  must  practice  economy." 

"  Have  you  any  acquaintances?" 
"  Yes,  two.  We  thi^o  have  formed 
ourselves  int^  a  society  for  the  purpose 
of  going  to  Italv.  We  call  ourselvea 
the  Dodge  Club." 
" 'fhe  Do<lgo  Club  ?" 
"  Yes.  Because  our  principle  is  to 
dodge  all  humbugsand  swindles,  which 
make  travelling  so  expensive  generally. 
We  have  gained  much  experience  al- 
ready,  and  hope  to  gain  more.  One 
of  my  friends  is  a  doctor  from  Phil- 
adelphia, Doctor  Snakeroot,  and  the 
other  is  Senator  Jones  from  Masea* 
c::i;5c;r3.  r«citncr  iiic  iyueior  nor  ttie 
Senator  nndcnitand  a  word  of  any  Ian. 


¥jmEMi£-j'iyi^~. 


THE  DOUCE  CLLD ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


gnago  bat  th«  American.  That  is  the  reaion 
why  I  bccamo  acquainted  with  them. 

"  First  ai  to  the  Dootur,  I  picked  him  np  at 
Dnnliirk.  It  woa  in  a  cafe'.  1  was  gcttini;  my 
modest  breakfast  when  I  saw  liim  oomif  in. 
He  sat  down  and  boldl)  asked  fur  cutfuc.  Afu 
er  the  usual  delay  tliu  ({ari,-on  brought  hin-  a 
•mall  cup  tilled  with  what  looked  liico  ink. 
On  the  waiter  was  a  cap  of  eau  de  vlf,  and  a  lit- 
tle plate  containing  several  cnormoos  lumps  of 
loaf-sogar.  Never  shall  I  forget  llio  Doctor's  face 
of  aroascmcnt.  Ho  looked  at  each  article  in  suc- 
cession. What  was  the  ink  for?  what  the  bran- 
dy ?  what  the  sugar  ?  He  did  not  know  that  the 
two  flrsit  when  mixed  makes  the  best  drink  in  the 
workl,  and  that  the  lust  is  intended  for  the  pock- 
et of  the  guest  by  force  of  a  custom  dear  to  ev- 
ery Frenchman.  To  make  a  long  story  short, 
I  explained  to  him  the  mysteries  of  French  cof- 
fee, and  wo  became  sworn  friends. 

•'My  meeting  with  the  Senator  was  under 
sliglitly  ditfurcnt  cia-umstnnces.  It  waa  early 
in  tlio  inominf^.  It  was  chilly.  I  was  walk- 
ing brislvly  out  of  town.  Suddenly  I  turned 
a  corner  and  came  upon  a  crowd.  They  sur- 
rounded a  tall  man.  Ho  was  an  American, 
and  appeared  to  bo  insane.  Fint  ho  made 
gestures  like  a  man  hewing  or  chopping.  Then 
ho  drew  his  hand  across  his  throat.  Then  4ie 
stagi,'ered  forward  and  pretended  to  fall.  Then 
lie  groaned  hcurily.  After  which  he  raised  him- 
self np  and  looked  at  the  crowd  with  an  air  of 
mild  inquiry.  They  did  not  laugh.  They  did  not 
oven  smile.  They  listened  resinsctfully,  for  they 
knew  that  the  strange  gentlemnn  wished  to  ex- 


'  press  something.     On  the  whole,  I  think  if  I 
I  hadn't  cr)me  up  that  the  Senator  would  have 
l)ccn  arrested  by  a  stiff  gendarme  who  was  jiut 
then  coming  along  the  street.     As  it  was,  I  ar- 
rived just  in  time  to  learn  that  he  was  anxioa* 
to  SCO  the  French  mode  of  killing  cattle,  and 
was  trying   to  find   his  way  to  the  abattoirs. 
j  The  Senator  is  a  tine  man,  bat  eminently  prac- 
I  tical.     Ho  used  to  think  the  French  languag* 
^  an  accomplishment  only.     He  has  changed  bit 
I  mind  since  his  arrival  here.     He  bos  one  littla 
I  peculiarity,  and  that  is,  to  bani  broken  English 
,  at  tlie  top  of  his  voice  when  be  wants  to  coiuma- 
nicate  with  foreigners." 

Not  long  aftcr»-ard  the  Dodge  Club  received 

a  new  member  in  the  person  of  Mr.  Dick  Whif- 

tietrce.     The  introduction  took  place  in  a  mod- 

est  cafe,  where  a  dinner  of  six  courses  was  snp> 

!  plied  for  the  ridiculous  sum  of  ono  franc — soap, 

I II  roast,  a  fry,  a  bake,  a  fish,  a  pic,  bread  at 

discretion,  and  a  glass  of  vinegar  generously 

.  thrown  in. 

;      At  one  end  of  the  table  sat  the  Senator,  a 

j  very  largo  ond  musciu.  .•  man,  vith  iron-gray 

;  hair,    and   features   that    were   very   strongly 

'  marked  and  very  strongly  American.     Ho  ap- 

j  ]iearcd  to  be  about  fifty  years  of  ago.     At  the 

other  sat  the  Doctor,  a  slender  young  man  in 

black.     On  one  side  sat  Buttons,  and  oppoiite 

to  him  was  Dick. 

"  Buttons, "  suid  the  Senator,  "were  yon  onl 
yesterday  ?" 
"  I  was." 
"  It  was  a  iwwcrful  crowd." 

"Rather  large." 
"  It  was  im-mcnsc.     I  never 
before  had  any  idea  of  the  popu- 
lation  of  Paris.      New   York 
isn't  to  be  compared  to  it." 

"As  to  crowds,  that  is  noth- 
ing uncommon  in  I'nris.  Set 
n  rat  loose  in  the  Champs  Kly- 
sc'es,  and  I  bet  ten  thousand 
jieople  will  be  after  it  in  five 
minutes." 
"Sho!" 

"  Anything  will  raise  a  crowd 
in  Paris." 

"It  will  be  a  stoall  one, 
then." 

"  My  dear  Senator,  in  an 
honr  from  this  I'll  engage  my- 
self to  raise  as  large  a  crowd  as 
the  one  you  saw  yestcrdoy." 

"  Mvdear  Buttons,  vou  look 
like  it." 

"Will  you  bet?" 
"Bet?  Are  you  in  earnest?" 
"  Never  more  so." 
"But  there  is  nn  immense 
crowd  outside  already." 

"Then  let  the  scene  of  my 
triiil  bo  in  a  less  crowded  place 
— the  Place  Vcnaomo,  tor  in- 
stance." 


rj^-^ 


8 


THE  DODGE  CLUB  j  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


"  Name  the  conditions." 

"  In  an  hour  from  this  I  engsf^  to  fill  the 
Place  Vendume  with  people.  Whoever  fails 
forfeits  a  dinner  to  the  Club." 

The  eyes  of  Dick  and  the  Doctor  sparkled. 

*'  Done  !"  saiil  the  Senator. 

"  All  that  you  have  to  do,"  said  Buttons, 
"  is  to  go  to  the  top  of  the  Colonne  Vendome 
and  wave  your  hat  three  times  when  you  want 
me  to  begin." 

"I'll  do  that.  But  it's  wrong,"  said  the 
Senator.  "  It's  taking  money  from  you.  You 
must  lose." 

"Oh,  don't  be  alarmed,"  said  Buttons,  cheer- 
fully. 

The  Dodge  Cljb  left  for  the  Place  Ven- 
dome,  and  tae  Senator,  separating  himself 
from  his  comvpnions,  began  the  ascent.  But- 
tons left  h'n  '^riends  at  a  corner  .0  see  the 


result,  and  walked  quickly  down  a  neighboring 
street. 

Dick  noticed  that  every  one  whom  he  met 
stopped,  stared,  and  then  walked  quickly  for- 
ward, looking  up  at  the  column.  These  pe<^ 
pie  accosted  others,  who  did  the  same.  In  a 
few  minutes  many  hundreds  of  pople  were 
looking  up  and  exchanging  glances  wit>!  one  an- 
other. 

In  a  short  time  Buttons  had  completed  the 
circuit  of  the  block,  and  re-entered  the  Placo 
by  another  street.  He  was  running  at  a  quick 
pace,  and,  at  a  moderate  calculation,  about  two 
thousand  gamins  de  Pm-is  ran  before,  beside, 
and  behind  him.  Gens  d'armes  caught  the  ex- 
citement, and  rushed  frantically  about.  Sol- 
diers called  to  one  another,  and  tore  across  the 
square  gesticulating  and  shouting.  Carriages 
stopped ;  tlie  occupants  stared  up  at  the  col- 
umn ;  horsemen  drew  up  their  rearing  horses ; 
dogs  barked ;  children  screamed ;  up  flew  n 
thousand  windows,  out  of  which  five  thousand 
heads  were  thrust. 

At  the  end  of  twenty  minutes,  after  a  very 
laborious  journey,  the  Senator  reached  the  top 
of  the  column.     He  looked  down. 

A  cry  of  amazement  burst  from  him.  The 
immense  Place  Vendome  was  crammed  witli 
htfman  beings.  Innumerable  upturned  faces 
were  staring  at  the  startled  Senator.  All 
around,  the  lofty  houses  sent  all  their  inmates 
to  the  open  windows,  through  which  they  look- 
ed up.  The  very  house-tops  were  crowded. 
Away  down  all  the  streets  which  led  to  the 
Place  crowds  of  human  beings  poured  along. 

"  Well,"  muttered  the  Senator,  "  it's  evident 
that  Buttons  understands  these  Frenchmen. 
However,  I  must  perform  my  part,  so  hero 
goes." 

And  the  Senator,  majestically  removing  his 
hat,  waved  it  slowly  around  his  head  seven 
times.  At  the  seventh  whirl  his  fingers  slipped, 
and  a  great  gust  of  wind  caug'  ":  the  hat  and 
blew  it  far  out  into  the  ai.'°. 


TUi;  rL\CE   TENUOUt 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


It  fell. 

A  deep  RTLan  of  horror  burst  forth  from  the 
mnltitnde,  bo  deep,  so  long,  so  terrible  that  the 
Senator  turned  pale. 

A  hundred  thousand  heads  upturned ;  two 
hundred  thousand  arms  waved  furiously  in  the 
nir.  The  tide  of  new-comers  flowini;  up  the 
other  streets  filled  the  Place  to  overflowing ; 
and  the  vast  host  of  people  swayed  to  and  fro, 
agitated  by  a  thousand  passions.  All  this  was 
the  work  of  but  a  short  time. 

"  Come,"  said  the  Senator,  "  tliis  is  getting 
beyond  a  joke." 

There  was  a  sudden  movement  among  the 
people  at  the  foot  of  the  column.  The  lijenator 
leaned  over  to  see  what  it  was. 

At  once  a  gic  .  ;ry  came  up,  like  the  thun- 
der of  a  cataract,  warningly,  imperiously,  ter- 
ribly.    The  Senator  drew  back  cuntbunded. 

Suddenly  he  advanced  again.  He  shook  his 
head  depre^atingly,  and  waved  bis  arm:  as  if  to 
disclaim  any  evil  motives  which  they  might  im- 
pute to  him.  But  they  did  not  comprehend 
jiim.  Scores  of  stiff  gens  d'armes,  hundreds  of 
little  soldiers,  stopped  in  their  rush  to  the  foot 
of  the  column  to  shake  their  fists  and  scream  at 
him. 

"  Now  if  I  only  understood  their  doosid  lin- 
go," tliought  the  Senator.  "  But " — after  a 
pause — "  it  wouldn't  be  of  no  account  up  here. 
And  what  nn  awkward  fix,"  he  added,  "  for  the 
father  of  a  family  to  stand  hatless  on  the  top 
of  a  pillory  like  this  !     Slio  !" 

There  came  a  deep  rumble  from  the  hollow 
stainvay  beneath  him,  which  grew  nearer  and 
louder  every  moment. 

"  Somebody's  coming,"  said  the  Senator. 
'•Wa'al,  I'm  glad.  Misery  loves  company. 
Pcrhaiis  I  can  purchase  a  hat." 

In  five  minutes  more  the  heads  of  twenty 
gens  d'armes  shot  up  through  the  opening  in 
the  to])  of  the  pillar,  one  after  another,  and  re- 
minded the  Senator  of  the  "  Jump-up-John- 
nies  "  in  children's  toys.  Six  of  them  seized 
him  and  made  him  p/isoncr. 

The  indignant  Senator  remonstrated,  and  in- 
formed thom  that  he  was  an  American  citizen. 

His  remark  made  no  impression.  They  did 
not  understand  English. 

The  Senator's  wrath  made  his  hair  fairly 
bristle.  He  contented  himself,  however,  with 
drawing  up  the  programme  of  an  immediate 
war  between  France  and  the  Great  liepublic. 

It  took  an  hour  for  the  column  to  got  emp- 
tied. It  was  choked  with  people  rushing  up. 
Seven  gentlemen  fainted,  and  three  escaped  with 
badly  si)raincd  limbs.  During  this  time  the 
Senator  remained  in  the  custody  of  his  captors. 

At  last  tlie  column  was  cleared. 

The  prisoner  \.as  taken  down  and  placed  in  a 
cab.  He  saw  the  dense  crowd  and  heard  the 
miirhty  murmnra  nf  the  people. 

He  was  driven  away  for  an  immense  distance. 
It  seemed  miles. 

At  last  the  black  walls  of  a  huge  edifice  rose 
before  him.     The  cab  drove  under  a  dark  arch- 


way. The  Senator  thought  of  the  dungeons  of 
the  Inqnisition,  and  other  Old  World  horrors  of 
which  be  had  heard  in  his  boyhood. 

So  the  Senator  had  to  give  the  dinner.  Tbi 
Club  enjoyed  it  amazingly. 

Almost  at  the  moment  of  his  entrance  But* 
tons  had  arrived,  arm  in  arm  with  the  Amer- 
ican minister,  whose  representations  and  ex- 
planations procured  the  Senator's  release. 

"  I  wouldn't  have  minded  it  so  much,"  said 
the  Senator,  from  whose  manly  bosom  the  last 
trace  of  vexation  had  fled,  "if  it  hadn't  been 
for  that  darned  policeman  that  collared  me  first. 
What  a  Providence  it  was  that  I  didn't  knock 
him  down  !     Who  do  you  think  he  was  ?" 

"Who?" 

"The  very  man  that  was  going  to  arrest  mo 
the  other  day  when  I  was  trying  to  find  my  way 
to  the  slaughter-house.  That  man  is  my  evil 
genius.     I  will  leave  Paris  before  another  day." 

"  The  loss  of  your  hat  completed  my  plans," 
said  Bnttons.  "  Was  that  done  on  purpose  ? 
Did  you  throw  it  down  for  the  sake  of  saying 
'Take  my  hat?'" 

"  No.  It  was  the  wind,"  said  the  Senator, 
innocently.  "But  how  did  you  manage  to 
raise  the  crowd  ?     You  haven't  told  us  that  yet." 

"  How  ?  In  the  simplest  way  possible.  I 
told  every  soul  I  met  that  a  crazy  man  was  go- 
ing up  the  Colonne  VendOnra  to  throw  himself 
down." 

A  light  burst  in  upon  the  Senator's  soul. 
He  raised  his  new  hat  from  a  chair,  and  placing 
it  before  Buttons,  sold  fervently  and  with  unc- 
tion : 

"  Keep  it,  Buttons !" 


tMr  IT,  uiTTOsa: 


10 


THE  DODGE  CLUB;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


iuat's  a  uotfl  diu_ 


CHAPTER  IT. 


ORLEANS.— now  TO  QfELr,  A  LAXDLOnD.— HOW 
TO  FIGHT  OFF  niMBUGS  ;  AND  UOW  TO  TRAVEL 
WITHOUT  BAUOAOE. 

A  TKEMENDOC8  uproar  in  the  hall  of  a  hotel 
lit  Orleans  awaked  every  member  of  the  Dodge 
rlub  from  the  sound  and  refreshing  slumber 
into  which  they  had  fallen  after  a  fatiguing 
journey  from  Paris. 

Filing  out  into  the  hall  one  after  another  they 
beheld  a  singular  spectacle. 

It  was  a  fat  man,  bald-hcnded,  middle-aged, 
with  a  well-to-do  look,  that  burst  upon  their 
eight. 

He  was  standing  in  the  hall  with  flushed  face 
and  stocking  feet,  swearing  most  frightfully.  A 
crowd  of  waiters  stood  around  shrur;ging  their 
shoulders,  and  trying  to  soothe  l^m.  As  the 
fat  man  spoke  English,  and  the  waiters  French, 
there  was  a  little  misapprehension. 

"  There,  gentlemen,"  cried  the  fat  riinn,  as 
he  caught  f  ^''ht  of  our  four  friend.-;,  "  look  at 
that !     Wlint  do  von  call  that  ?" 

"  That?"  said  Buttons,  taking  a  papu-  which 
the  fat  man  thrust  in  his  face,  "  why,  that's  a 
hotel  bill." 

"A  hotel  bill?  Why  it's  an  imposition;" 
cried  the  other  excitedly. 

"Perhaps  it  is,"  said  Buttons,  coolly. 

"  Of  course  it  is  !  Read  it  out  loud,  and  let 
these  gentlemen  see  what  they  tliink  of  it." 

"  I'll  read  it  in  English,"  said  Buttons,  "  for 
the  benefit  of  the  Club :" 


Mister  Blank, 

One  dinner 3  trnnct. 

Six  pnrters..-. 6  *• 

ime  c«D 'Z  '* 

One  do 2  " 

One  informntion.  n  " 

WJne 5  " 

Tobaoeo 2  " 


T»the  noUldii  lini: 
One  bed fi  frHncF. 

( )np  hontjl .,,,....  1        ^' 

One  candle 1  '■ 

One  candle 1  *^ 

» ►ne  candle 1  *' 

Ouo  caudle 1  " 

vb  flUtK  B. 


"  By  Jove  !  Thirty-five  francs !  Jfy  dear 
Sir,  I  quite  agree  with  you.  It's  an  imposi- 
tion." 

A  deep  sigh  expressed  the  relief  of  the  fat 
man  at  this  mark  of  sympatliy. 

"  There's  no  redress,"  said  Buttons.  "  You'll 
liave  to  grin  and  bear  it.  For  you  must  know 
that  in  these  inland  towns  hotcl-kccpers  are  in 
le.iguo,  offcLsive  and  defensive,  with  all  the 
cab-drivers,  oninibns-drivers,  postillions,  truck- 
men, hostlers,  ponci-s,  errand-boys,  cafe'-koep- 
ers,  ciccrones,  tradesmen,  lawyers,  chamber- 
maids, doctors,  priests,  soldiers,  geiis  d'armes, 
m.ngistrates,  etc.,  etc.,  etc.  In  short,  the  whole 
community  is  a  joint-stock  company  organized 
to  plunder  the  unsuspecting  traveller." 

"And  must  I  stniid  here  and  be  swindled 
without  a  word  ?''  cried  the  other. 

"By  no  means.  Row  like  fury.  Cull  up 
the  whole  household  one  by  one,  and  swear  at 
them  in  broad  Saxon.  That's  tlic  Avny  to  strike 
terror  into  the  soul  of  a  Frenchman."" 

Tlic  fat  man  stared  for  a  moment  nt  Buttons, 
and   then   plunging  his   hands  deep    into   his 
tiowsers  pockets  he  walked  up  and  down  the  hall. 
At  last  ho  turned  to  the  others : 
"  Gentlemen,  is  this  endurable?" 
"  Horrible  !"ericd  Dick. 
"Abominable!" the  Doctor. 
"  Infamous  !"  the  Senator. 
"  By  jingo  !  I've  a  great  mind  to  go  home. 
If  I've  got  to  bo  plundered,  I'd  a  durncd  f  iglit 
rather  have  my  money  go  to  support  our  own 
great  and  glorious  institutions." 

There  is  no  doubt  that  the  unfortunate  man 
would  have  had  to  pay  up  if  it  had  not  been  for 
the  energetic  action  of  Buttons. 

lie  summoned  tlio  Iiotel-keepcr  l)cforo  him, 
and,  closing  the  door,  asked  his  friends  to  sit 
ilown. 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OB,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


II 


ThenBattons,  standini;  up,  began  to  repeat  to 
the  hotel-keeper,  smilingly,  but  with  extraor- 
dinary volubility,  Daniel  Webster's  oration 
•Rainst  Ilayne.  The  polite  Frenchman  would 
not  interrupt  him,  but  listened  with  a  bland 
thouRli  somewhat  dubious  smile. 

Tlio  Dodge  Club  did  infinite  credit  to  them- 
selves by  listening  without  a  smile  to  the  words 
of  tlieir  leader. 

Buttons  then  went  through  the  proposition 
nboiit  the  hypothcnuso  of  a  right-angled  tri- 
angle,  and  appended  the  words  of  a  few  negro 
songs. 

Hero  the  worthy  landlord  interrupted  him, 
begging  his  pardon,  and  telling  him  that  he  did 
not  understand  English  rery  well,  and  could 
his  Excellency  speak  French  ? 

His  Excellency,  with  equal  politeness,  regret- 
ted his  want  of  complete  familiarity  with  French. 
He  was  forced  when  ho  felt  deejily  on  any  sub- 
ject to  express  -liimself  in  English. 

Then  followed  Cicero's  oration  against  Verres 
nnd  he  was  just  beginning  a  speech  of  Chat- 
ham's when  the  landlord  surrendered  at  dis- 
cretion. 

When,  after  the  lapse  of  three  hours  and 
twenty-five  minutes,  the  fat  man  held  his  bill 
toward  him,  and  Buttons  offered  five  francs, 
he  did  not  even  remonstrate,  but  took  tlic  money, 
and  hastily  receipting  the  bill  with  his  pencil, 
darted  from  the  room. 

"Well,"  exclaimed   the   Senator,  when   he 

had  recovered  from  the  effects  of  the  scene "  I 

never  before  rcalizod  tlic  trutli  of  a  stoir  I  once 
heard." 

"  What  was  the  story  ?" 
"Oh,  it  was  about  a  bet  be-  ... 
tween  a  Yankee  and  a  French- 
man, who  could  talk  the  long- 
est. The  two  were  shut  uj) 
in  a  room.  They  remained 
there  three  days.  At  the  end 
of  that  time  their  friends  broke 
open  the  door  and  entered, 
and  what  do  you  think  they 
found  4liere  ?" 

"Nobody?"  suggested  the 
flit  m.in. 

"No,"  said  the  Senator, 
with  a  glow  of  patriotic  prido 
on  his  fine  fuce.  "But  they 
found  the  Frenchman  lying 
dead  ujion  the  floor,  and  tlio 
Yankee  whispering  in  his  car 
the  beginning  of  th.>  second 
part  of  the  Higgins  sKirv." 

"  And  what  is  the  Higgins 
story?" 

"For  Heaven's  sake,'' 
gasped  the  Doctor,  starting 
up,  "don't  ask  him  muv— 
wait  till  next  week!" 

Aa  they  passed  over  tlie 
mountains  of  Auvcrgne  a  now 
member  was  added  to  tlio 
Dodge  Club. 


It  was  the  fat  man. 

He  was  President  of  a  Western  bank. 

His  name  was  Figgs. 

It  was  a  damp,  dull,  dreary,  drenching  nighty 
when  the  lumbering  diligence  bore  the  Dodgs 
Club  through  the  streets  of  Lyons  and  up  to 
the  door  of  their  hotel.  Seventeen  men  and 
five  small  boys  stood  bowing  ready  to  receive 
them. 

The  Senator,  Buttons,  and  Dick  took  the 
small  valises  which  contiiined  their  travelling 
apparel,  and  dashed  through  the  line  of  servitors 
into  the  house.     The  Doctor  walked  after,  se- 
renely and  majestically.     He  had  no  baggage. 
Mr.  Figgs  dcocended  from  the  roof  with  con- 
siderable diflSculty.     Slipping  from  the  wheel, 
he  fell  into  the  outstretched  arms  of  three  wait- 
ers.    They  put  him  on  his  feet. 
His  luggage  was  soon  ready. 
Mr.  Figgs  had  two  trunks  and  various  other 
articles.     Of  these  trunks  seven  waiters  took 
one,  and  four  the  other.     Then 
Waiter  No.  12  took  hat-box ; 

"       "     13    "     travelling  desk ; 
"       "     14    "     Scotch  plaid; 
"       "15    "     over-coat; 
"       "     IG    "     umbrella; 
"       "17    "     rubber  coat; 
Boy     "       1    "     cane; 
"      "      2   "    muffler; 
"       "       3    "     one  of  his  mittens  ; 
"       "       4    "     the  other; 
"       "       5    "     cigar-oaso. 
After  a  long  and  laborious  dinner  they  rosa 
and  smoked. 


Clr.t.10  AGAI.NST  YuaiEa. 


ii^:-  :  J^  ;^e-^,m- 


THE  DODGE  CLUB;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


BAC-I.B-R-IE  I 


The  head  waiter  informed  Mr.  Figgs  that 
with  his  permission  a  deputation  would  wait  on 
him.  Mr.  Figgs  was  surprised,  but  graciously 
invited  the  deputation  to  walk  in.  They  ac- 
cordii  'y  walked  in.  Seventeen  men  and  five 
boys. 

'"What  did  they  want?" 

"  Oh,  only  a  pourboire  with  which  to  drink 
his  Excellency's  noble  health." 

"  Iteally  they  did  his  Excellency  too  much 
honor.     Were  they  not  mistaken  in  their  man  ?" 

"  Oh  no.  They  had  carried  bis  luggage  into 
the  hotel." 

Upon  this  Mr.  Figgs  gave  strong  proof  of  poor 
moral  training,  by  breaking  out  into  a  volley  of 
Western  oaths,  which  shocked  one  half  of  the 
deputation,  and  made  the  other  half  grin. 

Still  they  continued  respectful  but  firm,  and 
reiterated  the      leroard. 

Mr.  Figgs  called  for  the  landlord.  That  gen- 
tleman was  in  bed.  For  his  wife.  She  did 
not  attend  to  the  business.  For  the  head  wait- 
er. The  spokesman  of  the  deputation,  with  a 
polite  bow,  informed  him  that  the  head  waiter 
stood  before  him  and  was  quite  at  his  ser\-icc. 

The  scene  was  ended  by  the  sudden  entrance 
of  Buttons,  who,  motioning  to  Mr.  Figgs,  pro- 
ceeded to  give  each  waiter  a  douceur.  One 
after  another  took  the  proffered  coin,  and  with- 
out looking  at  it,  thanked  tlij  generous  donor 
with  a  profusion  of  bows. 

Five  minutes  after  the  retreating  form   of 
Buttons  had  vanished  through  the  door,  twenty-  ! 
one  persons,  consisting  of  men  and  boys,  stood 
staring  at  one  another  in  blank  amazement. 

Anger  followed ;  then 

"  Sac-r-r-r-r-r-r-R.K-R-R-R-R./J./J^ .'" 

He  had  given  each  one  a  centime. 

But  the  customs  of  the  hotel  were  not  to  be 
changed  by  the  shabby  conduct  of  one  mean- 
minded  person.  When  the  Club  prepared  to 
retire  for  the  night  they  were  taken  to  some 
rooms  opening  into  cutii  other.     Five  waiters 


led  the  way;  one  waiter  to 
each  man,  and  each  carried  a 
pair  of  tall  wax-candles.  Mr. 
Figgs'i  waiter  took  him  to  hi« 
room,  laid  down  the  lights, 
and  departed. 

The  doors  which  connected 
the  rooms  were  all  opened, 
and  Mr.  Figgs  walked  through 
to  see  about  something.  Ho 
saw  the  Doctor,  the  Senator, 
Buttons,  and  Dick,  each  draw 
the  short,  well-used  stump  of 
a  wax-candle  from  his  coat 
pocket  and  gravely  light  it. 
Then  letting  the  melted  wax 
fall  on  the  mantle-pieces  they 
stuck  their  candles  there,  and 
in  a  short  time  the  rooms 
were  brilliantly  illuminated. 

The  waiters  were  thunder- 
struck.     Such   a   procedure 
had  never  come  within  the 
compass  of  their  experience  of  the  ways  of 
travellers. 

"  Bonsoir,"  said  Button!     "  Don't  Ictus  do- 
tain  you." 
They  went  out  stupefied. 
"  What's  the  idea  now?"  inquired  Mr.  Figgg. 
"Oh,  they  charge  a  franc  apiece  for  each 
mdle,  and  that  is  a  swindle  which  we  will  not 
submit  to." 

"And  will  I  have  to  be  hnmbugged  again  ?" 
"Certainly." 
"Botheration." 

"  My  dear  Sir,  the  swindle  of  bougies  is  the 
curse  of  the  Aintinental  travellor.  None  of  us 
are  particularly  prudent,  but  we  are  all  on  the 
watch  against  small  swindles,  and  of  them  all 
this  is  tlie  most  frequent  and  most  insidious,  the 
most  constantly  and  ever  recurrent.  Beware, 
my  dear  President,  of  bougies— that's  what  we 
call  candles." 

Mr.  Figgs  said  nothing,  but  leaned  against 
the  wall  for  a  moment  in  a  meditative  mood,  as 
if  debating  what  he  should  do  next.  • 

Ho  happened  to  be  in  the  Doctor's  room.  He 
had  already  noticed  that  this  gentleman  had  no 
perceptible  baggage,  and  didn't  understand  it. 
But  now  he  saw  it  all. 

The  Doctor  began  gravely  to  make  prepara- 
tions for  the  night. 

Before  taking  off  his  over-coat  ho  drew  vari- 
ous articles  from  the  pockets,  among  which 
were : 


A  lmir-l)rn«li, 

A  tiKiih.hnish, 

A  ^hitf-hnish, 

A  pot  (if  Marking, 

A  nif^lit-Rhirt, 

A  riothes-brush, 

A  pipp, 

A  ixjuch  of  tobacco, 

A  razor, 

A  shftving-bruHh, 

A  piecti  of  soap. 


A  night-cap, 

A  bottle  of  hair-oil, 

A  pi»tol, 

A  guide-book, 

A  cigar-cape, 

A  bowie-knife, 

A  piece  of  cord. 

A  Imndkcrchicf, 

A  Q^M  of  ><><-i;<oa!  i!!- 

Btrunicnto, 
Some  bita  of  cun<ll»i. 


Sir.  Figgs  rushed  from  the  room. 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLEC 


IS 


NCSIUEB  "'79. 

cnAiTER  in. 

THK  RHONE  IN  A  KAIN.— THE   MAD  FUENCnMAN. 
— 8U1CIPB   A  CAPITAL  CRIME   IN  FRANCE. 

The  steamboikts  that  run  on  tho  Rhone  ore 
Tcry  remarkable  contrivances.  Their  builders 
have  only  aimed  at  combining  a  maximum  of 
length  with  a  minimum  of  other  qualities,  so 
that  each  boat  displays  an  incredible  extent  of 
fleck  with  no  particular  breadth  at  all.  Fiva 
gentlemen  took  refuge  in. the  cabin  of  tho 
Eioile,  from  the  drenching  rain  which  fell  dur- 
ing half  of  their  voyage.  This  was  on  abrurd 
vessel,  that  made  trips  between  Lyons  and  Avign- 
on. Her  accommodations  resembled  those  of 
a  canal  boat,  and  she  was  propelled  by  a  couple 
of  paddle-wheels  driven  by  a  Lilliputian  engine. 
It  was  easy  enough  for  her  to  go  down  tho 
river,  as  the  current  took  tho  responsibility  of 
moving  her  along ;  but  how  she  could  ever  get 
back  it  was  difficult  to  tell. 

They  were  borne  onward  through  some  of  the 
fairest  scenes  on  earth.  Ruined  towers,  ivy- 
covered  castles,  thunder-blasted  heights,  fertile 
valleys,  luxuriant  orchards,  terraced  slopes,  trel- 
lised  vineyards,  broad  plains,  bounded  by  dis- 
tant mountains,  whose  summits  were  lost  in  the 
clouds ;  such  were  the  successive  charms  of  the 
region  through  which  tliey  were  passing.  Yet 
though  they  were  most  eloquently  described  in 
the  letters  which  Buttons  wrote  homo  to  his 
friendu,  it  must  bo  confessed  that  they  made 
but  little  imnression  at  the  time,  and  indeed 
were  scarcely  seen  at  all  through  the  vapor- 
covered  cabin  windows. 

Avignon  did  not  excite  their  enthusiasm. 
In  vain  tho  guide-book  told  tlium  about  Pe- 
trarch and  Laura.  Tho  usual  raptures  were 
not  forthcoming.  In  vain  the^elcerone  led 
them  through  the  old  papal  palnc*  Its  sombre 
walls  awakonnij  nn  emotion.  The  o.vAv  of?Vrt 
produced  was  on  the  Senator,  who  whilcd  away 
the  hours  of  early  bed-time  by  pointing  out  the 
superiority  of  American  institutions  to  those 
which  reared  the  prisons  which  they  had  visited. 


Aries  was  much  more 
Mtisfactory.  There 
are  more  pretty  wom- 
en in  Aries  than  in 
any  other  town  of  tho 
same  size  on  the  Con- 
tinent. The  Club 
created  on  unusaal 
excitement  in  this 
peaceful  town  by  walk- 
ing slowly  through  it 
in  Indian  file,  nar- 
rowly scrutinizing  ev- 
erything. They  won- 
dered much  at  the 
numbers  of  people  that 
filled  the  cathedrnl, 
all  gayly  dressed.  It 
was  not  until  after  • 
long  calculation  that 
they  found  out  that  it 
was  Sunday.  Buttons 
kept  his  memorandum-book  ii.  his  hand  all  day, 
and  took  account  of  all  the  pretty  women  whom 
he  saw.  The  number  rose  as  high  as  729.  Ho 
would  have  raised  it  higher,  but  unfortunately 
an  indignant  citizen  put  a  stop  to  it  by  charg- 
ing him  with  impertinence  to  his  wife. 

On  the  railroad  to  Marseilles  is  a  famous 
tunnel.  At  the  last  station  before  entering 
the  tunnel  a  gentleman  got  in.  As  they  passed 
through  the  long  and  gloomy  place  there  sud- 
denly arose  a  most  outrageous  noise  in  the 
car. 

It  was  tho  new  passenger. 
Occasionally  the  light  shining  in  would  dis- 
close him,  dancing,  stamping,  tearing  his  hair, 
rolling  his  eyes,  gnashing  his  teeth,  and  curs- 
ing. 

"  Is  he  crazy  ?"  said  Dick. 
"  Or  drunk?"  said  Buttons. 
Lo  and  behold !  just  as  the  train  emerged 
from  the  tunnel  the  passenger  made  a  frantic 
dash  at  the  window,  flung  it  open,  and  before 
any  body  could  speak  or  move  he  was  half  ont. 
To  spring  over  half  a  dozen  seats,  to  land 
behind  him,  to  seize  his  outstretched  leg,  to  jerk 
him  in  again,  was  but  the  work  of  a  moment. 
It  was  Buttons  who  did  this,  and  who  banged 
down  the  v.  indow  again. 

"  Sac-r-r-R.R-Rc' !"  cried  the  Frenchman. 
"  Is  it  that  you  are  mad  ?"  said  Buttons. 
"  Sacre'  Bleu !"  cried  the  other.     "  Who  are 
you  that  lays  hands  on  me  ?" 
"  I  saved  you  from  destruction." 
"Then,  Sir,  you  have  no  thanks.     Behold 
me,  I'm  a  dcs|>erato  man !" 

In  truth  he   looked  like   one.     His   clothes 

i  were  all  disordered.     His  lips  were  bleeding, 

and  most  of  his  hair  fras  torn  out.     By  tliis 

time  the  guard   had  come   to  the   spot.     AH 

••:vrrr  ill  ::ic  vrir  ;;au  j^Z.'ICrCU  TuuuU.        il  V/oo  2k 

long  car,  second-class,  like  the  American. 

"M'sleu,  how  is  this?     What  is  it  that  I 
sec  ?     You  endeavor  to  kill  yourself?" 

"Leave  me.     I  am  desperate." 


14 


THE  DODGE  CLUB;  OR,  WALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


4 


"  But  no.  M'sien,  what  is  it  ?" 
"  Listen.  I  enter  the  trmin  thinking  to  go 
to  Avignon.  I  hare  importanv  bnsineM  there, 
most  importnnt.  Suddenly  I  am  struck  by  a 
thought.  1  find  I  hare  mistaken.  I  am  car- 
ried to  Marseilles.  It  is  the  express  train,  and 
I  must  go  all  the  way.  Ilofrorl  Despair! 
Life  is  of  no  use !  It  is  time  to  resign  it !  I 
die!  Accordingly  I  attempt  to  leap  from  the 
window,  when  this  gentleman  seizes  mo  by  the 
leg  and  pulls  me  in.     Behold  all." 

"  M'sieu,"  said  the  guard,  slowly,  nnd  with 
emphasis,  "you  have  committed  a  giavo  of- 
fense.    Suicide  is  a  capital  crime." 

"A  capital  crime!"  exclaimed  the  Prench- 
man,  turning  pale.     •' Great  Heaven  !" 

"  Yes,  Sir.  If  you  leap  from  the  car  I  shall 
put  you 'in  irons,  and  hand  you  over  to  the  po- 
li,'/ when  wo  stop."  i 

The  Frenchman's  pale  face  grew  paler,  lie 
became  humble.  He  entreated  the  guards 
compassion.  He  begged  Buttons  to  intercede. 
Ha  had  a  fnmily.  Moreover  he  had  fought  in 
,'  0  wars  of  his  country.  Ho  had  warred  m 
Africa.  Ho  appealed  to  the  Senator,  the  Do. 
tor,  to  Fi^'gs,  to  Dick.  Finally  ho  became 
calm,  and  the  train  shortly  after  arrived  at 
Marseilles.  . 

The  last  that  was  seen  of  him  he  was  rnshmg 
frantically  about  looking  for  the  return  train. 


HOnaOB:      DlSPAIBl 


CHAl'TEU  IV. 

MARSEILLES. 

Ot.d  Massilia  wears  her  years  well.  To  look 
at  her  now  as  she  appears,  tuii  of  iife  uii.i  juy  ana 
gayety,  no  cno  would  imagine  that  thirty  cc..- 
turies  or  more  had  passed  over  her  head. 

Here  is  the  first  glimpse  of  the  gloriosis  South, 
with  all  its  sunshine  and  luxury  and  voluptuous 


beanty.  Here  the  Mediterranean  rolls  its  w*. 
ters  of  deepest  blue,  through  the  clear  air  the 
landscape  appears  with  astonishing  distinctness, 
and  tho  sharplv-defincd  lines  of  distinct  objects 
surprise  'ho  Northern  eye.  Marseilles  is  al- 
ways !i  picturesque  city.  No  commercial  town 
in  tho  world  can  compare  with  it  in  this  respect. 
On  the  watei-  float  the  Mediterranean  craft, 
rakish  boats,  with  enormous  latteen  sails  ;  long, 
;  low,  sharp,  black  vessels,  with  a  suspicions  air 
redolent  of  smuggling  and  piracy.  No  tides 
'rise  and  fall  —  advance  and  retreat.  The 
waters  are  always  the  same. 

All  the  Mediterranean  nations  arc  represent- 
ed in  Marseilles.  Thrce-quartei-s  of  the  world 
send  their  people  here.  Europe,  Asia,  Africa. 
In  the  streets  the  Syrian  jostles  the  yjinniard  ; 
!  the  Italian  the  Arab  ;  the  Moor  jokes  with  the 
I  Jew ;  tho  Greek  chaffers  with  the  Algerino  ;  tho 
Turk  sccvls  nt  the  Corsican ;  tho  Kussian  from 
Odessa  pokes  the  Maltese  in  the  ribs.  There  is 
no  want  of  variety  here.  Human  nature  is 
seen  under  a  thousand  aspects.  Marseilles  is 
the  most  ( osmopolitan  of  cities,  and  represents 
not  only  many  races  but  many  ages. 

Moreover  it  is  a  fast  city.  New  York  is  not 
more  ambitious ;  Chicago  not  more  aspiring  ; 
San  Francisco  not  more  confident  in  its  future. 
Amazing  sight !  Here  is  a  city  which,  at  the 
end  of  three  thousand  years,  looks  forward  to  a_ 
1  longer  and  grander  life  in  the  future. 
•      And  why?  ,  .  .        u- 

,  Whv,  because  she  expects  yet  to  be  tho  arti- 
ter  of  Eastern  commerce.  Through  her  tho 
gold,  the  spices,  and  the  gems  of  India  will  yet 
be  ronveved  over  the  European  world.  For  the 
Suez  Canal,  which  will  once  more  turn  the 
tide  of  this  might;  t^nffic  through  its  ancient 
Mediterranean  channel,  will  raise  Marseilles  to 
the  foremost  rank  among  cities. 

So,  at  least,  the  Marseillaise  believe. 
When  our  travellers  arrived  there  the  city 
was  crammed  with  soldiers.     The  ha.bor  was 
I  packed  with  steamships.     Guns  were  thunder- 
ing,  bands  playing,  fifes  screaming,  muskets  rat- 
tling,    regiments  tramping,  cavalry   galloping. 
Confusion  reigned  supreme.     Every  thing  was 
out  of  order.     No  one  spoke  or  thought  of  any 
thing  but  the  coming  war  in  Lombardy. 
,      Excitable   little   red-lcggcd   Fr-ch   soldiers 
danced  about  everj-where.     Every  one  was  be- 
side himself.     None  could  use  the  plain  lan- 
guage of  cvery-day  life.     All  were  intoxicated 
with  hope  and  enthusiasm. 
i      The  travellers  admired  immen*>y  the  exeit- 
inc  scene,  but  their  admiration  was  changed  to 
!  di«gust  when  they  found  that  on  account  of  the 
j  rush  of  soldiers  to  Italy  their  own  prospects  of 
'  cetting  there  were  extremely  slight. 


i  At  length  Aey  found  that  a  steamer  was  go- 
inc  It  waiTa  propeller.  Its  name  wos  the 
i3_;.,...=  Ihc  pr.terBrisinc  company  that  owne<t 
her'had  pairiotknify  chartered  every  boat  on 
their  line  to  the  Government  at  an  enormous  prof- 
it, and  had  placed  the  J'nnce  on  the  line  for  tl.« 
use  of  travellers. 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  ITALY  IK  MDCCCLIX. 


U 


TUOW  ITitLIAKS. 


CHAPTER  V. 

THE    RBTIBED    ORGAN-GRINDER. — THB    SENATOR 

pniLOsoruizEa. — evils  of  not  having  a  tass- 

PORT. 

The  Mediterranean  is  the  most  glorious  of 
sons.  The  dark-blae  waves  ;  the  skies  of  dark- 
er blue  ;  the  distant  hills  of  purple,  with  their 
crowns  of  everUsting  snow ;  and  the  beetling 
precipice,  where  the  vexed  waters  forever  throw 
up  their  foaming  spra^r;  the  frequent  hamlets 
that  nestle  among  them  ;  the  castles  and  towers 
that  crown  the  lofty  heights;  and  the  road 
that  winds  tortuously  along  the  shore — all  these 
form  a  8c»»e  in  which  beauty  more  romantic 
than  that  <rf  the  Rhine  is  contrasted  with  all  the 
grandenr  of  the  ocean. 

Buttons,  with  his  usual  flexible  and  easy  dis- 
position, made  the  acquain^ncc  of  a  couple  of 
Italians  who  had  been  av.ay  from  Italy  and 
woro  now  returning.  They  were  travelling  sec- 
ond-tlass. 

Buttons  supposed  they  were  plad  to  pet  back. 

"  Glad  ?  Did  he  doubt  it  ?  Why,  they  were 
Italians." 

"Are  Italians  fonder  of  their  country  than 
others  ?" 

"Without  doubt.  Had  they  not  the  best 
reason  to  be  ?" 

"Why?" 

"They  had  the  garden  and  pride  of  the 
^oria  foi  liicir  country.  Mention  any  other  in 
the  same  breath  with  Italy." 

"  If  they  love  it  so  much  why  can  they  not 
keep  it  for  tlicmselves  ?" 
B 


"  How  can  yon  ask  that  ?  If  you  know  the 
history  of  the  country  yon  will  see  that  it  has 
been  impossible.  No  other  was  ever  so  beset. 
It  is  split  up  into  different;  States.  It  is  sur- 
rounded by  powerful  enemies  who  take  advan- 
tage of  this.  It  would  not  be  so  bod  if  there 
were  only  one  foreign  foe  ;  but  there  arc  many, 
and  if  one  were  driven  out  another  would  step 
in." 

"There  will  be  a  chance  for  them  now  to 
show  what  they  can  do." 

"  True ;  and  you  will  see  what  they  will  do. 
They  only  want  the  French  to  open  the  way. 
We  Italians  can  do  the  rest  ourselves.  It  is  a 
good  time  to  go  to  Italy.  You  will  see  devo- 
tion and  patriotism  such  as  you  never  law  be- 
fore.    There  is  no  country  so  beloved  as  Italy." 

"I think  other  nations  are  as  patriotic." 

"  Other  nations  !  What  nations?  Do  yon 
know  that  tho  Italians  can  not  leave  Italy  ?  It 
is  this  love  that  keeps  them  home.  French, 
Germans,  Spaniards,  -Portuguese,  English — all 
others  leave  their  homes,  and  go  all  over  the 
world  to  live.     Italians  can  not  and  do  not." 

"  I  have  seen  Italians  in  America." 

"You  have  seen  Italian  exiles,  not  emi- 
grants Or  you  have  seen  them  staying  there 
for  a  few  years  so  as  to  earn  a  little  mqnoy  to 
go  back  with.  They  are  only  travellers  on 
business.  They  are  always  unhappy,  and  are 
always  cheered  by  the  prospect  of  getting  home 
at  last." 

These  Italians  were  brothers,  and  from  ex 
perience  in  the  world  had  grown  very  intelli« 
gent.     One  had  been  in  the  hand-organ  boM> 


:i  ;■.*." 


IC 


THE  DODGE  CLUBj  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


'*i~- 


new,  tlio  other  in  the  image-making  line.  Ital- 
ians can  do  nothing  else  in  tho  bustling  com- 
munities of  foreign  nations.  Buttons  looked 
with  respect  upon  those  men  who  thus  had  car- 
ried their  love  for  their  dear  Art  for  years 
throuKh  strange  lands  and  r-. congenial  climes. 

"If  I  were  nn  Italian  i  too  would  be  on 
organ-grinder!"  he  at  length  exclaimed. 

Tlie  Italians  did  not  reply,  but  evidently 
thought  that  Buttons  could  not  bo  in  a  better 
I'Usincss. 

"  These  /talians,"  said  the  Senator,  to  whom 
Buttons  had  toM  the  conversation— "  these  /tal- 
ians," said  he,  after  they  had  gone,  "air  a 
singular  people.  They're  deficient.  They're 
wanting  in  the  leading  element  of  the  age. 
They  huven't  got  any  idee  of  tho  princijilo 
of  pro-grcss.  They  don't  understand  trade. 
There's  where  they  miss  it.  'Wlmt's  the  use 
of  hand-organs?  What's  tho  u.se  of  dancers? 
What's  tho  use  of  statoos,  whether  pinstcr  im- 
egos  or  niarblo  sculptoor  ?  Can  they  clear  for- 
ests or  build  up  States?  No,  Sir;  and  there- 
fore I  say  that  this  /talian  nation  will  never  be 
wnth  n  cu:5r,  until  they  lire  inoculated  with  the 
fpirit  of  Seventy-six,  the  principles  of  the  Pil- 
grim fathers,  and  tho  doctrines  of  the  Uo vo- 
lution. Boncy  knows  it  "—he  added,  scnton- 
tionsly— "  bless  you,  Boney  knows  it." 

After  a  sound  sleep,  whicli  lasted  until  late 
ii»  the  following  day,  they  went  out  on  deck. 
There  lay  Genoe. 

Glorious  sight !  As  they  stood  looking  nt 
tlio  superb  city  tho  sun  poured  down  upon  the 
^ccno  his  brightest  rays.  The  city  rose  in  suc- 
cessive terraces  on  tho  side  of  a  semicircular 
Mope  crowned  with  massive  edifices;  moles 
projected  iiUo  tho  harbor  terminated  hv  loftv 
towers ;  tlie  inner  basin  was  crowded  with  ship'- 
ping,  prominent  among  which  were  countless 
Trench  ships  of  war  and  transports.  Tho  yells 
if  fifes,  the  throbbing  of  drums,  tho  bang  of 
muskets,  the  thunder  of  cannon,  and  the  strains 
uf  martial  music  filled  the  air.     Boats  crowded 


[  with  ioldicni  constantly  passed  from  the  thipi 

j  to  tho  stone  quays,  where  thousands  more  wait- 

ed  to  receive  them— soldiers  being   mixed  up 

with  guns,  cannons,  wheels,  muskets,  drums, 

l>«gK«ge,  sails,    beams,    timbers,  camps,  mat- 

j  tresses,  casks,  bo.xes,  irons,  in  infinite  confusion. 

"Wo  must  go  aslioro  here,"  said  Buttons. 
"Docs  any  body  know  how  long  the  steamer 
will  remain  here?" 

"A  day." 

"  A  day  !  'That  will  bo  magnificent !  We 
will  be  able  to  see  tho  whole  city  in  that  time. 
Let's  go  and  order  a  boat  ofl." 

The  Captain  received  them  politely. 

"  What  did  Messieurs  want  ?  To  go  ashore  ? 
With  the  utmost  pleasure.  Had  they  theirpnss- 
ports  ?  Of  course  they  had  them  vited  in  Mar- 
seilles for  Genoa." 

Buttons  looked  blank,  and  feebly  iminircd  : 

"  Why  ?'•  •       ■ 

"It's  tho  law.  Monsieur.  We  are  prohibiteu 
from  permitting  passengers  to  go  ashore  un- 
less  their  passjiorts  aro  all  right.  It's  a  mere 
form." 

"A  mere  form!"  cried  Buttons.  '•  Wliv, 
ours  are  vised  for  Naples." 

"Naples!"  cried  the  Captain,  with  a  slinig; 
"you  aro  unfortunate,  Messieurs.  'Jliat  will 
not  pass  you  to  Genoa." 

"My  dear  Sir,  you  don't  mean  to  tell  mo 
that,  on  occount  of  tliis  little  informality,  vou 
will  keep  ns  prisoners  on  board  of  this  vessel  ? 
Consider — " 

"  Monsieur,"  said  tho  Captain,  conrteously, 
"I  did  not  make  these  kws.  It  is  the  law  ;'l 
can  not  change  it.  I  sliould  be  most  hajipy  to 
oblige  you,  but  I  ask  you,  how  is  it  possible  ?'" 
The  Captain  was  right,  lie  could  do  noth- 
ing. Tho  travellers  would  have  to  swallov 
their  rage. 

Imagine  them  looking  all  day  at  the  loveli- 
est of  Italian  scenes— the  glorious  city  of  Genoa, 
with  nil  its  Ijistoric  associations !— tho  city  of 
tho  Dorias,  tho  home  of  Columbus,  even  now 


■dCi,  TUB  BtrPBA 


.t^^ 


:iM 


r^?.^*^ 


THE  DODGE  CLUB,  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


the  scene  of  evrnts  upon  which  the  eyes  of  all 
the  world  were  fastened. 

Imagine  them  looking  upon  all  this,  and  only 
looking,  nnablo  to  go  near ;  seeing  all  the  prep- 
arations  for  war,  but  unable  to  mingle  with  t)iu 
warriors.  To  pace-  up  and  down  all  day ;  to 
shake  their  lists  at  the  scene ;  to  fret,  and  fume, 
and  chafe  with  iirepressible  impatience;  to 
scold,  to  rare,  to  swear— tliis  was  the  lot  of  the 
unhappy  tourists. 

IliRh  in  the  startled  heavens  rose  the  thun- 
der of  preparations  for  the  war  in  Lombardv. 
They  heard  the  sounds,  but  could  not  watJh 
the  scene  nea^at  hand. 

The  (lay  was  as  long  as  an  ordinary  week, 
hut  at  length  it  came  to  an  end.  On  the  fol- 
lowing  morning  steam  was  got  up,  and  thev 
went  to  Leghorn. 

"I  suppose  they  will  play  tlie  same  game 
on  us  at  Leghorn,"  said  Dick,  moumfullv. 

"  Without  doubt,"  said  Unttons.  "'Out  I 
don't  mind  ;  the  bitterness  of  death  is  tmst.  I 
can  stand  any  thing  now." 


17 
I  Again  the  same  Untaliiing  view  of  a  great 
I  city  from  ^ar.  Leghorn  Uy  inviting  them,  but 
,  the  unlucky  passport  kept  them  on  board  of  the 
I  vessel  The  Senator  grew  impatient,  Mr.  FigM 
and  the  Doctor  were  testy ;  Dick  and  Buttons 
alone  were  calm.  It  was  the  calmness  of  de- 
sjjuir. 

After  watching  Leghorn  for  hours  they  were 
taken  to  Civita  Vecchia.  Here  they  rushed 
down  below,  and  during  the  short  period  of 
their  stay  remained  invisible. 

.»,  A'  'f '  '""/xr'  ''?y°«''  ''"'^='''  «"<1  'hey  entered 
the  harbor  of  Naples.  Glorious  Naples  I  Naples 
the  captivating !  r  f « 

"  Vede  Na/Mli,  e  poi  mori .'" 

There  was  the  Bay  of  Naples-the  match- 
less, the  peerless,  the  indescribable!  There 
the  rock  of  Ischia,  the  Isle  of  Capri,  there  the 
slopes  of  Sorrento,  where  never^nding  spring 
abides  ;  there  the  long  sweep  of  Naples  and 
her  sister  cities  ;  there  Vesuvius,  with  its  thin 
volume  of  smoke  floating  like  a  pennon  in  the 


lir  •  r  n  n 


TlH-ln   >01.L1C    EXOELLK.NCIKS. 


CIIAI'TKIJ  VL 

LAZ.VnOXI   A.\D   M.VCAKONI. 

Adout  forty  or  fifty  lazaroni  snrronnded  the 
Dodge  Club  when  they  landed,  but  to  their  in- 
tense  disgust  the  latter  ignored  them  nltogeth- 
cr,  and  earned  their  own  umbrellas  and  carpet- 
Bags      But  the  lazaroni  revenged  themselves. 

■AS    tno    Doctor   StOODSf!    tr.    r-A.-h-    -.-.-..   1.:^ 

which  had  fallen,  a  number  of  "aWcWdromd 
from  his  breast-pocket,  and  among  them  wa«  a 
revolver,  a  thing  which  was  tabooed  in  Naples. 
A  rnggod  rascal  eagerly  snatched  it  and  handed 


it  to  a  gendarme,  and  it  Avas  onlv  after  pavine 
n  piastre  that  the  Doctor  was  pcVmitted  to"  re- 
tain  it. 

Even  after  the  travellers  had  started  off  on 
foot  in  search  of  lodgings  fto  lazaroni  did  not 
desert  them.  Ten  of  them  followed  everv- 
where.  At  intervals  they  respectfully  offered 
to  carry  their  bageage.  or  show  thnm  ,„  „ 
aotei,  wnichever  was  most  agreeable  to  their 
Noble  Excellencies. 

Their  Noble  ExceUencies  wen»  in  despair 
At  length,  stumbling  upon  the  Cafe  dell'  Eu- 
ropa,  tlicy  rushed  in   and  passed  three  hours 


imP'nm:i^-:^m?^m 


19 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  01^  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


over  their  breakCut.  Thi«  done,  they  congrat- 
ulated themwlve*  un  Imving  got  rid  of  their 
fullower*. 

In  vain ! 

Scarcely  had  they  einereed  from  the  caf<i 
than  Dick  uttered  a  cry  of  horror.  From  be- 
hind a  comer  advanced  iheir  ten  friends,  with 
the  tame  calm  demeanor,  the  same  unruffled 
and  even  cheerful  patience,  and  ttio  same  re- 
spectful oflfur  of  their  humble  services. 

In  despair  they  separated.  Button?  and 
Dick  obtained  lodgings  in  the  Siradit  di  San 
Uartollomeo.  The  Senator  nnd  the  other  two 
engaged  pleasant  rooms  on  the  Strada  Nuova, 
which  ovurlookei!  the  Uuy. 

Certainly  Naples  is  a  very  curioas  place. 
There  are  magnificent  edifices — palaces,  mon- 
uments, castles,  fortresses,  churches,  and  cathe- 
drals. There  are  majestic  rows  of  buildings ; 
gny  shops,  splendidly  docorated  ;  stately  colon- 
nades, and  gardens  liko  Paradise.  There  are 
streets  unrivalled  for  gaycty,  forever  filled  to 
overflowing  with  the  busy,  the  laughing,  the 
jolly  ;  dashing  officers,  noisy  soldiers,  rogged 
lazaroni,  proud  nobles,  sickly  bcggnrs,  lovely 
ladies ;  troo|)s  of  cavalry  galloping  up  nnd 
down  ;  ten  thousand  calcches  dashing  to  and 
fio.     There  is  variety  enough  everywhere. 

All  the  trades  are  divided,  and  arranged  in 
different  parts  of  the  city.  Here  are  the  lock- 
smiths, there  the  cabinet -makers;  here  the 
builders,  there  the  armorers  ;  in  this  place  the 
basket-weavers,  in  that  the  cork-makers. 

And  most  amusing  of  all  is  the  street  most 
favored  of  the  lazaroni.  Here  they  live,  and 
move,  ond  have  their  being ;  here  they  are 
iKjrn,  they  grow,  they  wed,  they  rear  families, 
li.cy  cat,  and  drink,  and  die.  A  long  array  of 
fnrnac  extends  np  the  street ;  over  each  is  a 
s;cw-]iai.,  and  behind  each  a  cook  armed  with 
an  enormous  ladle.  At  all  hours  of  the  day  the 
ciKik  serves  up  macaroni  *o  customers.  This  is 
the  iliot  of  the  people. 

In  the  cellars  behind  those  line*  of  stsw-pnns 


are  the  eating-hoose*  of  the  vulgar — low,  grimy 
places,  floors  incnisted  with  mM,  tables  of 
thick  deal  worn  by  a  thousand  horny  hands, 
slippery  with  ten  thousand  upset  dishes  of  mac- 
aroni. Here  the  pewter  plates,  and  the  iron 
knives,  furks,  and  spoons  are  chained  to  the 
massive  tables.  How  utter  must  tlio  destitu- 
tion be  when  it  is  thought  necessary  tu  chain 
up  such  worthless  trash  ! 

Into  one  of  these  places  went  Buttons  nnd 
Dick  in  their  study  of  human  nature.  They 
sat  at  the  table.  A  huge  dish  of  niacaruni  wo* 
served  up.  Fifty  guests  stopped  to  look  at  the 
new-comers.  The  waiters  winked  at  the  cus- 
tomers of  the  house,  and  thrust  their  tongues 
in  their  cheeks. 

Diik  could  not  eat,  but  the  more  philosoph- 
ical Buttons  made  an  extremely  hearty  meal, 
and  pn)nounccd  the  macaroni  delicious. 

On  landing  in  a  city  which  swarmed  with 
beggars  the  first  thought  of  our  tourists  was. 
How  the  mischief  do  tliey  all  live  ?  There  nro 
sixty  thousand  lazaroni  in  this  gay  city.  The 
average  amount  of  clothing  to  each  man  is 
about  one-third  of  a  pair  of  trowsers  and  a 
woolen  cap.  But  r.fker  si)ending  a  day  or  two 
the  question  changed  its  form,  and  became. 
How  the  mischief  can  they  all  help  living? 
Food  may  be  picked  tip  in  the  streets.  Hand- 
fuls  of  oranges  and  other  fruits  sell  for  next  to 
nothing ;  strings  of  figs  cost  about  a  cent. 

71  consequence  is  that  these  sixty  thonsand 
people,  fellow-creatures  of  ours,  who  are  known 
as  the  lazaroni  of  Naples,  whom  we  half  pity 
and  altogether  despise,  and  look  upon  as  the 
lowest  members  of  the  Caucasian  race,  are  not 
altogether  very  miserable.  On  the  contrary, 
taken  as  a  whole,  they  form  the  raggedcst, 
oiliest,  fattest,  drollest,  noisiest,  sleekest,  dirti- 
est, ignorantest,  prejudicedest,  narrow-minded- 
est,  shirtlcssest,  clotheslessest,  idlest,  careless- 
est,  jolliest,  absurdest,  rascaliest — but  still,  for 
nil  that,  perhaps— taken  all  in  all— the  happi- 
est community  on  the  face  of  the  earth. 


LAZ\i:0!(I   AND  MVOAU'iM. 


THE  LODGE  CLUB,  OB.  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


rY— ~~      If       '  i       i.u,.:i  ,;../!       , 


TANKUt  DOOnUC. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

DOLORES.— AN  ITALIAN  MAID  LEARNS  EX0LI8U  — 
A  ROMANTIC  ADVENTCHB.-  -A  MA8giEI.AI>E,  AND 
WHAT  DBPELL  THE  SENATOR.— A  CHAUMINO 
DOMINO. —A  MOONLIGHT  WALK,  AND  AN  AS- 
TOUNDING DISCOVEIir. 

The  lodgings  of  Buttons  and  Dick  were  in  a 
remarkably  central  part  of  Naples.  The  land- 
lord was  a  true  Neapolitan ;  a  handsome,  gav, 
witty,  noisy,  lively,  rascally,  eovetons,  ungrate- 
t  ul,  deceitful,  canning,  good-hearted  old  scoun- 
drel, who  took  advantage  of  his  guests  in  a 
thousand  ways,  and  never  spoke  to  them  with- 
out trjing  to  humbug  them.  ITo  was  the  fa- 
t!ier  of  a  pretty  daughter  who  had  all  her  par- 
em  s  nature  somewhat  toned  down,  and  expand- 
ed in  a  feminine  mould. 

Buttons  had  a  chivalrong  soul,  and  so  had 
Dick;  the  vivacity  of  this  very  friendly  voung 
•lady  was  like  an  oasis  in  the  wilderness  of 
travel.  In  the  evening  they  loved  to  sit  in  the 
sunshine  of  her  smile.  She  was  singularlv 
unconventional,  this  landlord's  daughter,  and 
made  many  informal  calls  on  her  two  lodeers 
in  their  apartment. 

An  innocent,  sprightly  little  maid— name  Do- 
lores—age seventeen— complexion  olive— hair 
JBt  black — pypg  Htog  tars.  ]r.rrTr:  ':;— .■:-..-.i.^  ._.! 
at  the  same  time  twinkiing-lwas  anxiou«'"to 
learn  English,  especially  to  sing  English  songs  • 
and  so  used  to  bring  her  gniUr  and  sing  for  the 
Americans.     Would  they  teach  her  their  iiation- 


19 

•1  iOBg?     "Oh   yes!  hapfiy 
beyond  expretsion  to  do  ao." 
The  result,  after  ten  leitona, 
w;is  something  like  this  : 

**  Anijr  IVindA  titiiimii  towoft 
liy  hU  B.-f  A  po  no 
Mna*  fnililt  liitm  mi 
kalU  Maccaruul. " 

She  used  to  sing  I'li,  \„ihe 
most  chaniiiiig  manner,  cm*- 
I  iully  the  last  word  in  the  hist 
line.  Not  the  least  charm  In 
lior  manner  was  her  evident 
conviction  that  she  had  mas- 
tcrcd  the  EnglLsh  language. 

"  Was  it  not  an  aHtonish- 
inj  thing  for  so  yoiing  a  Sign- 
orina  to  know  English?'' 

"Oh,  it  was  indeed  !"  sai  1 
Buttons,  who  knew  Italian 
v-ry  well,  and  had  the  lion's 
oharo  of  the  conversation  ^l• 
ways. 

"  And  they  said  lior  accent 
was  fine  ?" 

"Oh,  most  beautiful ."• 
"Bellissima!  Belliasima!" 
repeated  little  Dolores,  and 
she  would  laugh  until  her  eyes 
overflowed  with  delighted  van. 
ity. 

"Could    any    Signorina 
Americana  learn  Italian  in  so 
short  a.  lime?" 

I  '  •  No,  not  one.  They  had  not  the  spirit.  They 
could  never  cqiml  her  most  beautiful  accent." 

"  Ah  .'  you  siiy  all  the  time  that  my  acceut  ia 
most  beautiful." 

One  day  she  picked  up  a  likeness  of  a  vonr.g 
Iiidy  which  was  lying  on  the  table. 

"  Who  ii  this  ?"  she  asked,  abruptly,  of  But- 
tons. 

"A  Signorina." 

"  Oh  yes !     I  know ;  but  is  she  n  relative  ?" 

"No." 

"Are  yon  married?" 

"  No." 

"  Is  this  your  aflBanced  ?" 

"  Yes." 

"  Ah,  how  strange !  What  will  you  be  ?— a 
soldier  or  an  advocate  ?" 

"  Neither.     I  wi'l  be  a  pri»st." 

"  A  priest !  Siguor,  what  is  it  that  vou  tell 
mo  ?     How  can  this  be  your  affianced  lady  ?" 

"  Oh !  in  our  country  the  priests  all  marry, 
and  live  in  l)eautiful  little  cottages,  with  a  ga'rl 
den  in  front." 

Th:«  Dolores  treated  with  the  most  contempt- 
uous incredulity.  Who  ever  heard  of  such  a 
thing?  Impossible!  Moreover,  it  was  so  ab- 
surd.    Buttons  told  her  that  he  was  affianced 


»»»c  ^tOais  ago. 

"An  eternity!"  exclaimed  Dolores.  "How 
can  yon  wait  ?  But  you  must  have  been  verv 
young." 

"  Young  ?     Yes.  only  sixteen." 


iO 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OB,  IT.VLY  IN  MDCCXJLIX. 


it 


"  Dleised  iind  mott  venenklo  Virgin  I  Only 
sixteen !  AoU  i«  tho  the  moet  beantiful  girl 
you  know  ?" 

"No." 

"  Where  hare  you  ieen  one  more  lo  ?" 

"  In  N»ple»." 

"  Who  ii  the  ?■' 

"  An  lulian." 

"What  l»  her  name?" 

"Dolorea." 

"  That*,  mo." 

"  I  mean  yon." 

Tliii  wa»  pretty  direct ;  but  Dolorct  win  frank, 
nnd  required  frankneii  from  othcrt.  Some  yonng 
ludie*  would  have  roniidored  thi*  toe  coane  and 
open  to  bo  acccptal>Io.  But  Doloroa  had  so  high 
an  opinion  of  hcnclf  that  the  took  it  for  tincere 
homaRC.  So  she  half  closed  her  eyes,  leaned 
back  in  her  chnir,  looked  langnishin^ily  at  Hut- 
tons,  and  then  burst  into  a  merry  pcul  uf  music- 
al laughter. 

"I  think  I  am  the  iPost  beautiful  girl  you 
e»'er  saw." 

It  was  Buttons's  turn  tn  Iniigh.  lie  told  Do- 
lores that  she  whh  (|iii[o  right,  and  repeated  her 
favorite  woiJ,  "  IJoUissiraal" 

One  evening  when  Dick  was  alone  in  the 
room  a  knock  came  to  the  door. 

"  Wns  ho  disengaged?" 

"  Oh,  quite." 

"  The  iSignora  in  the  room  next — " 

"Yes." 

"Would  bo  happv  to  see  liim." 

"Now?" 

"  Yes,  as  soon  as  ho  liked." 


I  KISS  BANDS. 


The  Signora  did  not  hara  to  watt  long.  In 
^M  time  than  It  takes  to  tell  thi*  Dick  stood 
^ith  his  best  bow  before  her.  How  ho  con- 
gratulated himself  on  having  stodied  Italian  ! 
The  lady  reclined  on  •  sofa.  She  'as  al>oat 
thirty,  and  undeniably  pretty.  A  guitar  lay  at 
her  feet.  Book*  were  scattered  around— French 
novel*,  and  manual*  of  devotion.  Intelligcnco 
beamed  from  her  large,  expressive  eyes.  How 
delightful !  liete  wa*  an  adventure,  perhsp*  a 
fair  conqneft. 

"  Good-evening,  Signor !" 
"I  kiM  tho  band*  to  your  ladyship,"  said 
Dick,  mtistering  a  sentence  from  OIlendoriT. 
"  Pardon  me  for  this  liberty." 
"  I  assure  yon  it  give*  me  the  greatest  happi- 
ness, and  I  am  wholly  at  your  service." 

"  I  hare  understood  that  you  arc  an  Ameri> 
can." 

"I  am,  Sipnora." 

"And  this  is  your  first  visit  to  Naples?" 
"  My  first,  Signora." 
"  How  doc*  Naple*  please  you  ?" 
"  Exceedingly .  The  beautiful  city,  the  crowd- 
cd  streets,  the  delightful  views — above  all,  tho 
most  charming  ladies." 

A  bow — a  slight  flush  passed  over  tho  lady'* 
face,  and  Dick  whispered  to  himself — 

"  Well  put,  Dick,  my  boy— deuced  well  put 
Ibr  a  bcginntf." 

"  To  come  to  tho  point,"  »aid  the  lady,  with 
a  sigh.— ("Ah,  hero  »e  have  it!"  tliought 
Dick— tlie  point— blessed  moment!) — "  I  would 
not  have  ventured  to  trouble  you  for  any  slight 
cause,  Siijno'',  but  this  nearly  concerns  myself." — 
(Keep  down — our  heart,  murmured 
Dick — cool,  yon  dog — cool!)— "My 
happiness  and  my  tenderest  feel- 
ings— "  (Dick's  suffused  eyes  ex- 
pressed deep  sympathy.) — "  I  thotiyht 
of you — " 

"Ah,  Signora!" 

"  And  not  being  f  rquainted  with 
you — "  (What  a  shame  ! — aside) — 
"I  concluded  to  waive  all  forinnlity  " 
—(Social  form*  are  generally  a  nui- 
sance to  ardent  *oul3 — aside) — "  and 
to  communicate  at  once  with  yon." 

"  Sijinora,  Jt  me  assure  you  that 
til  is  is  the  happiest  moTient  in  my 
life.' 

Tlie  Signora  looked  surprised,  but 
went  on  in  a  sort  of  preoccupied  way : 
"  I  want  to  know  if  you  can  tell  mo 
any  thing  about  my  brother." 
"Brother!" 

"Who  is  now  in  America." 
Ditk  o|jeneil  his  eves. 
"  1  thought  that  perhaps  you  could 
tell  me  how  he  is.     I  have  not  heard 
fp. in  him  for  two  yc.^rs,  nnd  feel  very 
anxious." 

l/iciv  5*"it  lor  r*  tiiGincitt  surjjnscu  m 
tliis  unexpected  turn.  The  lady's 
niixiety  about  her  brother  he  could 
bce  was  not  feigned.    So  he  concealed 


THE  nODUE  CLUB;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCUX. 


•  tt 


TllX   YOOQ  UCMAB. 

liU  disappointment,  and  in  hit  most  engaging 
mi'iiner  informed  lier  thot  he  had  not  leen  her 
brother  ;  but  if  alie  could  toll  him  bis  name,  and 
the  place  where  he  was  living,  he  might  bo  able 
to  tell  something  about  hi  -.. 

"  His  name,"  sighed  the  lady,  "  is  Giulio 
Fanii." 

"And  the  place?" 

"Kio  Janeiro." 

"  Rio  Janeiro  ?•■ 

"Yes,"  said  the  lady,  slowly. 

Dick  was  in  despair.  Not  to  know  any  thing 
of  her  brother  would  make  her  think  him  stu- 
pid.    So  he  attempted  to  explain  : 

"  America,"  he  began,  "  is  a  very  large  conn- 
try— larger,  in  fact,  than  the  whole  Kingdom 
of  Naples.  It  i»  principally  inhabited  by  sav- 
nge9,  who  are  very  hostile  to  the  whites.  The 
whites  have  a  few  cities,  however.  In  the  North 
the  whites  all  speak  EHglish.  In  the  South  they 
all  speak  Spanish.  The  South  Americp.ns  are 
good  Catholics,  and  respect  the  Holy  Father ; 
but  the  English  in  the  North  are  all  heretics. 
Consequently  there  is  scarcely  any  communica- 
tion between  the  two  districts'." 

The  liidy  had  heard  somewhere  tliat  in  the 
American  wars  they  employed  the  savages  to 
assist  them.  Dick  acknowiedgcd  the  truth  of 
this  with  candor,  but  with  pain.  She  would 
see  by  this  why  he  was  unable  to  tell  her  any 
thing  about  her  brother.  Ilia  not  knowing 
that  brother  was  now  the  chief  sorrow  of  his 
life.  Tlie  lady  earnestly  hoped  that  Rio  Ja- 
neiro was  well  protected  from  V.\e  savages. 

city  are  impregnable." 

Dick  thus  endeavored  to  give  the  lady  an 
idea  of  America.     The  conveisation  gradually 


Mpered  down  rilil  Ae  en- 
trsnco  of  •  gentleman  brooghl 
il  to  •  cluM.  Dick  bowed 
himself  ont. 

"At  any  r«te,"  he  mar. 
i^iureO,  "  if  the  lady  wanted  to 
inspect  me  she  had  a  chance, 
and  if  the  wanted  to  pump 
me  the  oaght  to  be  satisfied. " 

One  evening  Buttons  and 
Dick  came  in  and  found  a 
stranger  chatting  familiarly 
with  the  landlord  and  a  yonng 
husaar.  The  stranger  was 
dressed  like  a  cavalry  officer, 
and  was  the  most  astounding 
fop  that  the  two  Americans 
liad  ever  seen.  He  paced  up 
and  down,  head  erect,  chest 
thrown  out,  tabre  clanking, 
spurs  jingling,  eyes  sparkling, 
ineffable  smile.  He  strode  up 
to  the  two  youths,  spun  round 
on  one  heel,  bowed  to  tho 
ground,  waved  his  hand  pat- 
rpnizingly,  and  welcomed 
them  in. 

"  A  charming  night,  gallant  gentlemen.  A 
bewitching  night.  All  Naples  is  alive.  All  the 
world  is  going.     Are  you  ?" 

The  young  men  stared,  and  roldly  asked 
where  ? 

"Ha,  ha,  ha!"  A  merry  peel  of  laughter 
rang  out.  "Absolutely  —  if  the  young  Amer- 
icans are  not  stupid.  They  don't  know  me !" 
" Dolores!"  exclaimed  Bnttons. 
"  Yes, "  exclaimed  the  other.  "  How  do  yon 
like  me  ?  Am  I  natural  ?— eh  ?  miliUry  ?  Do 
I  look  terrible?" 

,  And  Dolores  skipped  up  and  down  with  a 
strut  beyond  description,  breathing  Jiard  and 
frowning. 

"  If  you  look  so  fierce  you  will  frighten  as 
away."  said  Buttons. 

"IIow  do  I  look  now?"  she  said,  standing 
full  before  him  with  folded  arms,  a  la  Napoleon 
at  St.  Helena. 

"Bellissimal  Bellinima!"  said  Buttons,  in 
unfeigned  admiration. 

"Ah!"    ejaculated  Dolores,  smacking^hor 
lips,  and  puffing  ont  her  little  dimpled  cheeks. 
"  Oh !"  and  her  eyes  sparkled  more  brightly 
with  perfect  joy  ar.d  relf-contentment. 
"And  what  i*  all  this  for?" 
"  Is  it  possible  that  you  do  not  know?'" 
"  I  have  no  idea." 

"Then  listen.  It  is  at  the  Roval  Opera- 
house.  It  will  be  the  greatest  masquerade  ball 
ever  given." 

"  Oh— a  masquerade  ball !— and  you  ?" 
"  I  ?     I  go  as  a  handsome  yomg  officer  to 
ureak  iiio  iiearts  of  the  ladies,  a^  have  such 
rare  sport.     My  breve  cousin,  yonder  gallant 
soldier,  goes  with  me." 

The  bravo  cousin,  who  was  a  big,  heavy-head' 


22 


THE  DODGE  CLUB  ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


id  fellow,  grinned  in  acknowledgment,  but  Mid 

nothing. 

The  Royal  Opera-house  at  Naples  is  the 
largest,  the  grandest,  and  the  most  cnpacions  in 
tlio  world.  An  immense  stage,  an  enormons 
pit  all  thrown  into  one  vast  room,  surroanded 
l>y  inniimerablo  boxes,  all  riniiiK,  tier  above 
tier — myriads  of  dancers,  myriads  of  masks, 
myriads  of  spectators — so  the  scene  appeared. 
Moreover,  the  Neapolitan  is  a  bern  buffoon. 
Nowhere  is  ho  bo  natural  ns  at  a  masquerado. 
The  music,  the  ciowd,  tlic  brilliant  lights,  the 
incessant  motion  nru  all  intoxication  to  this  im- 
pressible being. 

The  Senator  lent  the  countenance  of  his 
presence — not  from  curiosity,  but  from  a  benev- 
olent desire  to  keep  his  young  fiiands  out  of 
trouble.  He  narrowly  escaped  being  prohibited 
from  entering  by  making  an  outrageous  fuss  at 
the  door  about  some  paltry  cbange.  1'^  actual- ' 
ly  imagined  that  it  was  possible  to  get  the  right  i 
change  for  a  larjjecoin  in  Naples.  \ 

The  multitudes  of  moving  forms  made  the 
new-comers  dizzy.     There   were  all  kinds  of  } 
fantastic  figures.      Lions   polked  with   syljihs,  [ 
( rocodiles  chased  gei-jjcnts,  giants  walked  arm 
in  arm  with  dwarfs,  elejilmnts  on  two  legs  ran 
nimbly   about,  beating  every   body  with  huge 
irobosces  of  inflated  India  rubber.     I'retty  girls 
in  dominos  abounded ;  every  body  whose   fucc 
was  visible  was  on  the  broad  grin.     All  classes 
were  represented.     The  wealthics,   nobles  en-  , 
turcd  into  the  spirit  of  the  scene  w  ith  as  great  i 


','-7 


A  I'£BI>[.EX£P  BE^ATOU, 


gusto  as  the  linmblest  artisan  who  treated  hit 
obscure  sweet-heart  vith  an  entrance  ticket 

Our  friends  all  wore  black  dominos,  "just 
for  the  fun  of  the  thing."  Every  body  knew 
that  they  were  English  or  American,  which  is 
just  the  same  ;  for  Englishmen  and  Americans 
are  univenuilly  recognizable  by  the  rigidity  of 
their  muscles. 

A  bevy  of  masked  beauties  were  attracted  by 
the  colossal  form  of  the  Senator.  To  say  that 
ho  was  bewildered  would  express  his  sensations 
but  faintly.  He  was  distracted.  He  looked 
for  Buttons.  Buttons  was  chatting  with  a  little 
domino.  Ho  turned  to  Dick.  Dick  was  walk- 
ing  off  with  a  rhinoceros.  To  Figgs  and  the 
Doctor.  Figgs  and  the  Doctor  were  cxthang- 
iiig  glances  with  a  couple  of  lady  codfishes  and 
trying  to  look  amiable.  The  Senator  gave  a 
sickly  smile. 

'■  What'n  thunder'll  I  do?"  he  muttered. 
Two  dominos  took  either  arm.     A  third  stood 
smilingly  licfore  him.     A  fonrth  tried  to  appro- 
priate his  left  hand. 

"Will  your  Excellency  dance  with  one  of  us 
at  a  time,"  said  No.  4,  with  a  Tuscan  accent, 
"  or  will  yon  dance  with  all  of  us  nt  once  ?" 
Tlie  Senator  looked  helplessly  at  her. 
"  He  docs  not  know  how,"  said  No  1.     "  He 
has  passed  his  life  among  the  stars." 

'Begone,  irreverent  ones!"  said  No.  3. 
"  This  is  an  American  prince.  He  said  I  should 
be  his  partner." 

"  Boh !  mulidetto !  "  cried  No.  2.  "He  told 
me  the  same ;  but  he  saiJ  he 
was  a  Milor  Inglese." 

No.  4  thereupon  gave  a  smart 
pull  at  the  Senator's  hand  to 
draw  him  off.  Whereupon  No. 
2  did  the  same.  No.  3  licgan 
pinging  "Come  e  hello!"  and 
No.  1  stood  coaxing  him  to 
"Fly  with  her."  A  crowd 
of  idlers  gathered  grinningly 
around. 

"  My  goodness  !'*  groaned 
the  Senator.  "Me!  the — the 
representative  of  a  respectable 
constituency;  the  elder  of  a 
I'resbyterian  church;  the  pres- 
ident of  a  temperance  society ; 
the  deliverer  of  that  famous 
Fourth  of  July  oration ;  the 
father  of  a  family — me  !  to  be 
treated  tlius!  Who  air  theso 
females?  Air  they  countesses? 
Is  this  the  way  the  foreign  no- 
bility  treat  an  American  cit- 
izen ?" 

But  the  ladies  pulled  and  the 
crowd  grinned.  The  Senator 
endeavored  to  remonstrate. 
Then  he  tried  to  pull  his  arms 
away  ;  but  finding  that  impos- 
sciiie  iie  iookeu  in  a  piteous 
manner,  first  at  one,  and  then 
at  the  other. 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OH,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


23 


"  lie  wants,  I  toll  you,  to  bo  .  ly  partner," 
said  No.  I . 

"Bah  !"cricdNo.  2,  dori.-ivoly  ;  "  he  intends 
to  be  mine.  I  understand  the  national  dance 
of  his  country — the  I'amous  jeeg  Irlandese  " 

"MRS.!!  !" 

Tlie  Senator  sliouted  tliis  one  word  in  a  sten- 
torian voice.  The  ladies  drojiped  bis  arms  and 
started. 

"I  say,  Mrs. !"  cried  the  Senator.  "  Look 
here.  Mo  no  speeky  /-talian— me  American. 
Me  come  just  see  zee  fun,  you  know— zee  spoart 
— you  und-stand  ?     Ila?     Hum!" 

The  ladies  clapped  their  hands,  and  cried 
"Bravo!" 

Quite  a  crowd  gathered  around  them.  The 
Senator,  impressod  with  the  idea  that,  trs  rr..il:r 
foreigners  understand,  it  was  only  ne.-essary  to 
yell  loud  enough,  bawled  so  loudly  that  ever  so 
many  dnncers  stopped.     An)ong  thcso  Buttong 


cnme  near  with  th«  little 
Domino.  Little  ])om- 
ino  stopped,  laughed, 
clapped  her  hands,  and 
pointed  to  the  Senator. 

The  Senator  was  yell. 
ing  vehemently  in  bro- 
ken English  to  a  larirc 
crowd  of  masks.  He 
told  them  that  he  had  a 
large  family;  tliat  he 
owned  a  factory ;  that  he 
was  a  man  of  weight, 
character,  influence,  pop- 
ularity, wealth  ;  that  he 
came  hero  merely  to 
study  their  manners  and 
customs.  He  disclaimed 
any  intention  to  partici- 
pate in  their  amuse- 
ments just  then,  or  to 
make  acquaintances. — 
Ho  would  be  jiroud  to 
visit  them  all  at  their 
houses,  or  see  them  at 
his  apartments,  or — or — 
in  short,  would  be  hap. 
py  to  do  any  thing  if 
they  would  only  let  nim 
go  in  peace. 

The  crowd  langhcd, 
chattered,  and  shout- 
ed "  Bravo !"  at  ev- 
ery pause.  The  Senator 
was  covered  with  shame 
and  |)erspiration.  What 
would  have  become  of 
him  finally  it  is  impos- 
sible to  guess  ;  but,  for- 
tunately, at  this  extrem- 
ity he  cauglit  sight  of 
Buttons.  To  dash  away 
from  the  charming  la- 
dies, to  burst  through  the 
crowd,  and  to  seize  tlic 
arm  of  Buttons  was  but 
the  work  of  a  moment. 

"Buttons!  Buttons!  Buttons!  Help  mc ! 
These  confounded  7-talian  wimmin  !  Tnko 
them  away.  Tell  them  to  leave  me  be.  Tell 
them  I  don't  know  them— don't  ■want  to  have 
them  hanging  round  me.  Tell  them  I'm  your 
father!"  cried  the  Senator,  his  voice  rising  to 
a  shout  in  his  distraction  aiid  alarm. 

About  970  people  Mere  around  hira  by  this 
time. 

"Goodness!"  said  Buttons;  "you  are  in  a 
fix.  Why  did  you  make  yourself  so  agreeable  ? 
and  to  so  many  ?  Why,  it's  too  bad.  One  at 
a  time  !" 

"Buttons,"  said  the  Snmvfnr,  eolemnlr,  "is 
this  a  time  fur  joking 'i'     For  Heaven's  sake  get 

"  Come,  then  ;  you  mnst  run  for  it." 
He  seized  the  Senator's  right  arm.     The  lit- 
tio  Domino  clung  to  bis  other.     Aw.iy  the/ 


THE  DODGE  CLUBj  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


started.  Itwasafull  run.  A  shout  arose.  So 
arises  the  shout  in  Rome  along  the  bellowing 
Corso  when  the  horses  a'e  starting  for  the  Car- 
nival races.  It  was  a  long,  loud  shout,  gather- 
ing and  growing  and  deepenin<?  as  it  rose,  till 
it  burst  on  high  in  one  grand  thunder-clap  of 
'  toand. 

Away  went  the  Senator  like  the  wind.  The 
dense  crowd  parted  on  either  side  with  a  rush. 
The  0]jcra-house  is  several  hundred  feet  in 
length.  Down  this  entire  distance  the  Senator 
ran,  accompanied  by  Buttons  and  the  little 
Domino.  Crowds  cheered  him  as  ho  passed. 
Beliind  him  the  passage-way  closed  up,  and  a 
long  trail  of  screaming  maskers  pressed  after 
him.  The  louder  they  shouted  tlie  faster  the 
Senator  ran.  At  length  they  reached  t'.ie  oth- 
er end. 

"Do  you  see  that  box?"  asked  Buttons, 
pointing  to  one  on  tlie  topmost  tier. 

"Yes,  yes." 

"  Fly  !  Run  for  your  life  !  It's  your  only 
hope.     Get  in  there  and  hide  till  we  go!'' 

The  Senator  vanished.  Scarcely  had  his 
coat-tails  disappeared  through  the  door  when 
tlie  pursuing  crowd  arrived  there.  Six  thou- 
sand two  liundred  and  twenty-seven  human  be- 
ings, dressed  in  every  variety  of  costume,  on 
finding  that  the  runner  had  vanished,  gave  vent 
to  their  excited  feelings  by  a  loud  cliecr  for  the 
interesting  American  who  had  contributed  so 
greatly  to  tlie  evening's  enjoyment. 

Unlucky  Senator!  Will  it  be  believed  that 
even  in  tlie  topmost  box  his  pursuers  followed 
him  ?  It  was  even  so.  About  an  hour  after.  |  The  Grotto  ofPosilippo  is  a  most  remarkable 
ward  Buttons,  on  coming  near  the  entrance,  I  place,  and,  in  the  opinion  of  every  intellipent 
encountered  him.  His  face  was  pale  but  reso-  |  traveller,  is  more  astonishing  than  even  tlie  Hoo- 
lute,  his  dress  disordered.  He  muttered  a  few  j  sac  Tunnel,  which  nobody  will  deny  except  tlio 
words  about  "  durned  /-talian  countesses,'' and  '  benighted  Bostoninn. 

hurried  out.  j      The  city  of  rozzuoli  is  celebrated  for  two 

Buttons  kept  company  with  the  little  Dom-  tilings ;  first,  because  St.  Paul  once  landed 
ino.  Never  in  his  life  had  he  passed  so  agree-  j  there,  and  no  doubt  hurried  awny  as  fast  ns  ho 
able  .in  evening.  He  took  good  care  to  let  his  could  ;  and,  secondly,  on  account  of  tlic  im- 
corapanion  know  this.     At  lengtli  the  crowd  ;  menso  number  of  beggars  that  throng  around 


A  strange  thought  occurred.  It  was  soon 
confirmed.  They  stopped  in  front  of  Buttons'* 
own  lodgings.  A  light  gleamed  over  the  door. 
Another  flashed  into  the  soul  of  Buttons.  The 
Domino  took  off  J^er  mask  and  turned  her  f-:.;o 
uptoBnttons.  That  face,  dimpled,  smiling,  be- 
witching; flashing,  sparkling  eyes ;  little  mouth 
with  its  rosy  lips ! 

"  Dolores  !" 

"Blessed  saints,  and  Holy  'Virgin !  Is  it  pos- 
sible that  you  never  suspected  ?" 

"  Never.  How  could  I  when  I  thought  you 
were  dressed  like  a  dragoon  ?" 

"And  you  never  passed  so  hnppy  nn  even- 
ing; and  you  never  had  so  fascinating  and 
ch.nnning  a  partner;  and  you  nev  'icaid  such 
a  vo,  e  of  music  as  mine;  and  jou  can  never 
forget  me  through  all  life ;  and  you  never  can 
hope  to  find- any  one  equal  to  me!"  said  Do- 
lores, in  her  nsual  laughing  volubility. 

"  Never !"  cried  Buttons. 

"  Oh  dear!  I  think  you  mnst  love  me  very 
much." 

And  a  merry  peal  of  laughter  lang  up  tlie 
stairs  as  Dolores,  evading  Buttons's  arm,  which 
that  young  man  had  tried  to  pass  about  her 
waist,  dashed  away  into  the  darkness  and  out 
of  sight. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

ADVENTfRES  AND  MISADVENTURES. — A  W  ET  GROT- 
TO AND  A  BOILINO  LAKE. —THE  TWO  FAIB 
SPANIARDS,  AND  THE  DONKET  RIDE. 


began  to  separate.  The  Domino  would  go. 
Buttons  would  go  with  her.  Had  slie  a  car- 
riage ?  No,  she  walked.  Then  he  would  walk 
with  her. 


the  unliappy  one  who  enters  its  streets. 

The  Dodge  Club  contributed  liberally.  TIio 
Doctor  gave  a  cork-screw ;  the  Senator,'a  blade 
less  knife  ;  Dick,  an  old  lottery  ticket ;  Buttons, 


Buttons  tried  hard  to  get  a  carriage,  but  all  ia  candle-stump;   ]Mr.  Fipgs,  a  wild-cat  bank 
were  engaged.     But  a  walk  would  not  be  un-  j  note.     After  wliirh  thi'v  all  hurried  away  on 
pleasant  in  such  company.     The  Domino  did  ]  donkeys  as  fast  ns  possible, 


not  complain.     Slie  was  vivacious,  brilliant,  do 
lightful,  bewitching.     Buttons  had  been  trying' 
iill  tlie  evening  to  find  out  who  she  was, 
vain. 

"  Who  in  tlie  world  is  she  ?     I  must  find  out, 
so  that  1  may  see  her  again 
one  thought. 

They  approached  tlio  Strada  Nuova. 

"She  is  not  one  of  the  nobility,  at  any  rate." 
he  thought,  "  or  she  would  not  live  here." 

They  turned  up  a  familiar  street. 

"  How  f  xceedingly  jolly  !     She  can't  live  far 
Urtiiv  iVuiii  my  i(ni^iiij;s." 

They  cntcreci  the  Stmda  di  San  Bartnlnmco. 

"  Hanged  if  slie  don't  live  in  the  same  street !' 


j      The  donkey  is  in  his  glory  here.     Nowhere 

else  docs  ho  develop  such  a  variety  of  forms — 

In    now  licrc  attain  such  an  infinit'  of  sizes — nowhere 

I  emit  so  impressive  a  bray.     It  is  the  Bray  of 

Naples.     "It  is  like  the  thunder  of  tlie  night 

This  was  his  ;  when  tlie  cloud  bursts  o'er  Cona,  and  a  tliou- 

I  sand  ghosts  shriek  at  once  in  the  hollow  wind." 

I  There  is  a  locality  in  this  region  which  the 
nncicnts  n.imed  after  a  certain  warm  rej;ion 
which  no  refined  person  ever  permits  himsolf  to 
mention  in  our  day.  Whatever  it  may  have 
been  when  some  Roman  Tityrus  walked  pipe  in 
mouth  along  its  shore,  its  present  condition 
renders  its  name  singularly  appropriate  and 
felicitous.     Hero  the  party  amused  themselves 


TUE  DODGE  CLUB  j  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIT. 


23 


with  a  lunch  of  figs  and  oranges,  which  they 
jfathered  indiscriminately  from  orchards  and 
gardens  on  the  road-side. 

There  was  the  Lake  Lncrine.  Averno  and 
the  Elvsian  Fields  were  there.  The  ruins  of 
Caligula's  Bridge  dotted  the  surface  of  the  soa. 
Yet  the  charms  of  all  these  classic  scenes  were 
eclipsed  in  the  tourists'  eyes  by  those  of  a  num- 
ber of  pretty  peasants  girls  who  stood  washing 
clothes  in  the  limpid  waters  of  the  lake. 

It  was  in  this  neighborhood  that  they  found 
the  Grotto  of  the  Cama:an  Sibyl.  They  follow- 
ed the  intelligent  cicerone,  armed  with  torohes, 
into  a  gloomy  tunnel.  The  intelligent  cicerore 
walked  before  them  with  the  air  of  one  who  Had 
something  to  show.  Seven  stout  peasan'"'  ol- 
lowed  after.  The  cavern  was  as  dark  .'.5  _  ssi- 
ble,  and  extended  apparently  for  an  endless  dis- 
tance. 

After  walking  a  distance  of  about  two  miles, 
according  to  the  Senator's  calculation,  they  came 
to  the  centre  of  interest.  It  was  a  hole  in  the 
wall  of  the  tunnel.  The  Americans  were  given 
to  understand  that  they  must  enter  hero. 

"But  how?" 

"How?  Why,  on  the  broad  backs  of  the 
stout  peasants,  who  all  stood  politely  offering 
tlieir  humble  services."  The  g\iide  went  first. 
Buttons,  without  more  ado,  got  on  the  back  of 
the  nearest  Italian  and  followed.  Dick  came 
next ;  then  the  Doctor.  Mr.  Figgs  and  the 
Senator  followed  in  the  same  dignified  manner. 

They  descended  for  some  distance,  and  finally 
came  to  water  about  three  feet  deep.  As  the 
roof  was  low,  and  only  rose  three  feet  above  the 
water,  the  party  had  some  diflBculty,  not  only  in 
keeping  their  feet  out  of  the  water, 
but  also  in  breathing.  At  length  they 
came  to  a  chamber  about  twelve  feet 
square.  From  this  thoy  passed  on  to 
iinother  of  the  same  size.  Thence  to  - 
another.     And  so  on. 

Arriving  at  the  last,  Bearer  No.  1 
fjuietly  deposited  Buttons  on  a  raised 
stone  platform,  which  fortunately 
.arose  about  half  an  inch  above  the 
water.  Tlirce  other  bearers  did  tlio 
same.  Mr.  Figgs  looked  forlornly 
about  him,  and,  being  a  fat  man, 
seemed  to  utow  somewhat  apoplectic. 
Dick  beguiled  the  time  by  lighting  his 
pipe. 

"  So  this  is  the  Grotto  of  the  Cu- 
in.tan  Sibvl,  is  it  ?"  said  Buttons. 
"Then  all  I  ciiu  say  is  that — '' 

What  lie  was  fjoing  to  say  was  lost 
by  a  loud  cry  which  intorruptcil  him 
and  startled  all.  It  came  from  the 
other  chamber. 

"The  Senator'"  s.-iid  Dick. 

It  \v:is  indeed  his  well-kin nvii  voice. 
There  was  n  plash  and  a  groan.  Ini- 
mediately  afterward  a  man  stacgcrod 
into  the  room.  He  was  deathly  jiale, 
and  tottered  feebly  under  the  tremen- 
dous weight  of  iho  Senator.     The 


latter  looked  as  anxioni  as  his  trembling  bear- 

"Darn  it!  I  soy,"  no  cried.  "Darnit!  Don'tl 
Don't!" 

j  "  Diavo-lo!"  muttered  the  It.alian. 
I  And  in  the  next  instant  plump  went  the  Sea* 
!  ator  into  the  water.  A  scene  then  followed 
1  that  baffles  description.  The  Senator,  rising 
,  from  his  unexpected  bath,  foaming  and  sputter- 
I  ing,  the  Italian  praying  for  forgiveness,  tho 
loud  voices  of  all  the  others  shouting,  calling, 
'  and  laughing. 

I  The  end  of  it  was  that  they  all  left  as  soon  at 
possible,  and  the  Senator  indignantly  waded 
back  through  the  water  himself.  A  furious  row 
with  the  unfortunate  bearer,  whom  the  Senator 
refused  to  pay,  formed  a  beautifully  appropriate 
termination  to  their  visit  to  this  classic  spot. 
The  Senator  was  so  disturbed  by  this  misad- 
venture that  his  wrath  did  not  subside  until  his 
trowsers  were  thoroughly  dried.  This,  how- 
ever, was  accomplished  ft  last,  under  the  warm 
sun,  and  then  he  looked  around  him  with  bis 
usual  complacency. 

The  next  spot  of  interest  which  attracted 
them  was  the  Hall  of  the  Subterranean  Lake. 
In  this  place  there  is  a  cavern  in  the  centre  of 
a  hill,  which  is  approached  by  a  passage  of  some 
considerable  length,  and  in  tho  subterranean 
cavern  a  pool  of  water  boils  and  bubbles.  The 
usual  crowd  of  obliging  peasantry  surrounded 
them  as  they  entered  the  vestibule  of  this  inter- 
esting place.  It  was  a  dingy-looking  chamber, 
out  of  which  two  narrow  subterranean  passage* 
ran.  A  gi'imy,  sooty,  blackened  figure  stood 
before  tlicm  with  torches. 


CAiN   it!— DOS'T. 


26 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  ITALY  IX  MDCCCLIX. 


"Follow!" 

This  was  all  that  he  condescended  to 
•ay,  after  lighting  his  torches  and  dis- 
tributinj;  them  to  his  visitors.  He 
stalked  off,  and  stooping  down,  darted 
into  the  low  passaRe-way.  The  cicerone 
followed,  then  Buttons,  then  Dick,  then 
the  Senator,  then  the  Doctor,  then  Mr. 
Figgs.  The  air  was  intensely  hot,  and 
the  jinssage-way  grow  lower.  More- 
over, the  smoko  from  the  torches  filled 
the  air,  blinding  and  choking  them. 

Mr.  Figgs  faltered.  Fat,  and  not  by 
any  means  nimble,  he  came  to  a  pauso 
niKJut  twenty  feet  from  the  entrance, 
and,  making  a  sudden  turn,  darted  out. 

The  Doctor  was  tall  and  unaccustom- 
ed to  bend  his  perpendicular  form. 
Half  choked  and  panting  heavily  he  too 
gave  up,  and  turning  about  rushed  out 
after  Mr.  Figgs. 

The  other  three  went  on  bravely, 
^uttons  and  Dick,  because  they  had 
long  since  made  up  tlicir  minds  to  see 
every  thing  that  presented  itself,  and 
the  Senator,  because  when  he  started  on 
an  enterprise  he  was  incapable  of  turn- 
ing back. 

After  a  time  the  passage  went  sloping 
steeply  down.  At  the  bottom  of  the 
declivity  was  a  pond  of  water  bubbling 
and  steaming.  Down  this  they  ran. 
Now  the  slope  was  extremely  slippery, 
and  the  subterranean  chamber  was  but 
faintly  illuminated  by  the  torches.  And 
so  it  came  to  pass  that,  as  the  Senntor 
ran  down  after  the  others,  they  had 
barely  reached  tlie'bottom  when 

Tlivniji ! 

At  once  all  turned  round  witli  a  start. 
Not  too  quickly ;  for  there  lay  the  Senator,  on  his ' 
back,  sliding,  in  an  oblique  direction,  straight 
toward  the  pool.     His  booted  feet  were  already 
ill  the  seething  waves  ;  his  nails  were  dug  into  I 
the  slippery  soil ;  he  was  shouting  for  help.  [ 

To  grasp  his  hand,  his  collar,  his  leg— to  jerk 
him  away  and  place  him  upright,  was  the  work 
of  a  shorter  time  than  is  taken  to  tell  it. 

The  guide  now  wanted  them  to  wait  till  he 
boiled  an  egg.  The  Senator  remonstrated,  stat- 
ing that  he  had  already  nearly  boiled  a  leg. 
The  Senator's  opposition  overpowered  the  wishes 
of  the  others,  and  the  party  proceeded  to  return. 

I'ale,  grimy  with  soot,- panting,  covered  wiih 
huge  drops  of  perspiration,  they  burst  into  tl.c 
chamber  where  the  others  were  waiting- -first 
Buttons,  then  Dick,  then  the  Senator  covered 
with  mud  and  slime. 

The  latter  gentleman  did  not  answer  much  tn 
the  paper  inquiries  of  his  friends,  but  maintained 
n  solemn  silence.  The  two  former  loudly  and 
volubly  descanted  on  the  accumulated  honors 
of  the  Rubterranpiin  wiivv  the  narrow  rassaiye. 
the  sulphurous  nir,  the  lake  of  boiling  floods." 

In  this  outer  chamber  their  attention  w.is  di- 
rected to  a  number  of  ancient  relics.     These 


luCMr ! 

are  offered  for  sale  in  such  abundance  that  they 
may  be  considered  stajde  articles  of  commerce 
in  this  countrj'. 

So  skillful  are  the  manufacturers  that  they  can 
produce  unlimited  supplies  of  the  following  arti- 
cles, and  many  others  too  numerous  lo  mention : 


Cumipan  and  Oscan 

coin* ; 

I'lttO 

and  ditto 

ftatiiettoa; 

Pitto 

and  ditto 

rings ; 

Ditto 

and   ditto 

hraceleta  ; 

Ditto 

and   ditto 

imagof ; 

Ditto 

and  ditto 

toilet  articles; 

Ditto 

and  ditto 

vaf^os : 

Ditto 

and  ditto 

ha-lcs: 

Helica  of  Parthenope ; 

liitto 

of  llBlae : 

Ditto  of  Misenum 

1 

Ditto 

of  PR'Ktnni ; 

Ditto  of  llercubiiietmi; 

Ditto  of  Pnnipcil; 

DI:to  of  Capmft  ; 

Iiitto 

of  Opim ; 

Ditto 

of  (.!umn' — 

And  other  places  too  numerous  to  mention  | 
all  sH|i|ilied  to  rder;  all  of  which  arc  eaten  bv 
rust,  and  warranted  to  be  covered  by  the  canker 
iir.'.!  the.  n>.0!>.!d  nf  .".ntiaiiitv. 

The  good  guide  earnestly  pressed  some  inter, 
estint;  relics  upon  tlieir  attention,  but  without 
marked  success.     And  now,  as  the  hour  of  din- 


THE  LODGE  CLUB  ;  OU,  ITALY  IN  MUCCCLIX. 


17 


ner  approached,  they  mado 
the  best  of  their  v/aj  to  a 
neighboring  inn,  which  com- 
manded a  fine  view  of  the 
bay.  Emerging  from  the 
chamber  the  guide  followed 
them,  offering  his  wares. 

"Tell  mo,"  ho  cried,  in  a 
sonorous  voice,  "oh  most  no- 
1 13  Americans  !  how  much 
will  you  give  for  this  moit 
ancient  vase  ?" 

"  Un'  mezzo  carlino,"  said 
Dick. 

"  Un'  mezzo  carlino!  !  I" 

The  man's  liand,  which  had 
Iioon  uplifted  to  didplay  tlie 
vase,  fell  downward  as  h"--'! 
tliis.  His  tall  figure  gre  s 
and  less  distinct  as  the, 
furtlier  away  ;  but  long  alter 
hu  was  out  of  sight  the  phan- 
tom of  his  reproachful  face 
haunted  their  minds. 

After  dinner  they  went  out 
on  the  piazza  in  front  of  the 
hotel.  Two  Spanish  ladies 
were  there,  wliose  dark  eyes 
produced  an  instantaneous  elTect  upon  the  im- 
pressible heart  of  Buttons. 

They  sat  side  by  side,  leaning;  against  the  stone 
balustrade.  Tliey  were  smoking  cigarettes, 
and  the  effect  produced  by  waving  their  pretty 
hands  as  they  took  the  cigarettes  from  their 
mouths  was,  to  say  the  least,  bewildering. 

Buttons  awaited  his  opportunity,  ond  did  not 
have  to  wait  long.  Whether  it  was  that  they  were 
willing  to  give  the  young  American  o  chance,  or 
whether  it  was  really  unavoidable,  can  not  be 
siid,  but  certainly  one  of  the  fair  Spaniards 
found  that  her  cigarette  had  gone  out.  A  pret- 
ty look  of  despair,  and  an  equally  pretty  gesture 
of  vexation,  showed  at  once  the  state  of  things. 
Upon  which  Buttons  stepped  up,  and  with  a  bow 
tiiat  would  have  done  honor  to  Chesterfield,  pro- 
duced a  box  of  scented  allumettcs,  and  lighting 
one,  gravely  Iield  it  forward.  The  fair  Spaniard 
s;niled  bowitcliingly,  and  bending  fonvard  witli- 
oiit  hesitation  to  light  her  cigarette,  brought  lier 
iisy  lips  into  bewildering  proximity  to  Buttons's 
li.iiul. 

It  was  a  trvins  moment. 

Tlio  amialdu  expression  of  the  Indi  -'  faces, 
i-imlilncd  with  the  sofily-spokcn  thanks  cf  tlio 
)  1  ly  whom  Buttons  first  addressed,  cncournped 
l.i;n.  The  consequence  was,  that  in  about  five 
i.iiiiutcs  more  he  was  occupying  a  seat  opposite 
tiicm,  chatting  as  familiarly  as  though  he  were 
iiii  old  playmate.  Dick  looked  un  with  admira- 
tion ;  the  others  with  envy. 

"How  in  the  world  docs  it  happen,"  asked 
the  Senator,  "  that  Buttons  knows  the  lingo  of 


"  He  can't  help  it,"  said  Hi.  k.  "  These 
Continental  languages  are  all  alike  ;  know  one, 
and  you've   got  the    key  to   the    others  —  lliat 


A  TKTINO  HOmilT, 

is  with  French,  Italian,   Spanish,  and  Portu- 
guese." 

"And  look  at  him  now!"  cried  the  Senator, 
his  eye  beaming  with  cordial  admiration. 

"  You  may  well  look  at  him !"  sighed  Dick. 
"Two  such  pretty  girls  as  these  won't  tn  n  np 
again  in  a  hurry,  Spaniards  too  ;  I  alwsys  ad- 
mired them."  And  he  walked  down  to  the 
shore  humming  to  himself  aomething  about 
"the  girls  of  Cadiz." 

The  ladies  informed  Buttons  that  they  were 
travelling  with  their  brother,  and  had  been 
through  Russia,  Germany,  England,  France, 
and  were  now  traversing  Italy ;  did  not  like  the 
three  first-mentioned  countries,  but  were  charm- 
ed with  Italy. 

Their  naivete  was  delightful.  Buttons  found 
out  that  the  name  of  one  was  Lucia,  and  the 
other  Ida.  For  the  life  of  him  he  did  not  know 
which  ho  admired  most ;  but,  on  the  whole,  rath- 
er inclined  to  the  one  to  whom  he  had  offered 
the  light— Ida. 

He  was  equally  frank,  and  let  them  know 
his  name,  his  lountrj-,  his  creed.  They  were 
shocked  at  his  creed,  pleased  with  his  country, 
and  amused  at  his  name,  which  they  pro- 
nounced, "  Seuor  Bo-to-nes." 

After  about  an  hour  their  brother  camo.  He 
was  a  snuiU  man,  very  active,  and  full  of  vivac- 
ity. Instead  of  looking  fiercely  at  the  stran- 
;  per,  ho  shook  hands  with  him  very  coidially. 
1  Before  doing  this,  however,  he  took  one  short, 
j  quick  survey  of  his  entire  person,  froi.i  his  felt 
i  hat  down  to  his  Congress  boots.     The  conse- 

..  .    .  pau- 


IVIIO     UCB\^l  lUU    lilS    CUiil 


ions,  and  went  off  with  the  ladies. 

Dick  took  the  lead  of  the  party  on  the  return 
lome.     Tlicy  viewed   the   conduct   of  Buttons 


2» 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


Vi 


SI.NATOS  AND  DO.NKET. 


with  displeasure.  Tho  Senator  did  not  show 
his  nsunl  serenity. 

The  party  were  all  riding  on  donkeys.  To 
do  this  on  the  minute  animals  which  the  Nea- 
jiolitans  furnish  it  is  necessary  to  seat  one's  self 
on  the  stem  of  the  animal,  and  draw  the  legs 
well  up,  so  that  they  may  not  trail  on  the  pround. 
The  appearance  of  the  rider  from  behind  is  that 
of  a  Satyr  dressed  in  the  fashion  of  the  nine- 
teenth century.  Notlring  can  be  more  ridicu- 
lous than  the  siplit  of  a  figure  dressed  in  a  frock- 
coat  and  beaver  hat,  and  terminated  by  tho  legs 
and  tail  of  a  donkey. 

As  it  was  getting  late  the  party  hurried.  The 
donkeys  were  put  on  tlie  full  gallop.  First  rode 
the  guide,  then  the  otliers,  last  of  whom  was  the 
Senator,  wlioso  great  weight  was  a  sore  trial  to 
the  little  donkey. 

They  neared  Pozzuoli,  when  suddenly  the 
Senator  gave  his  little  beast  a  smart  whack  to 
hasten  his  steps.  The  donkey  lost  all  patience. 
With  a  jump  he  leaped  forward.  Away  he 
■went,  far  nheiul  of  the  otlicrs.  The  saddle, 
whose  girth  was  i-ather  old,  sli[)ped  off.  The 
Senator  held  on  tightly.  In  vain !  Just  as  he 
rounded  a  corner  formed  by  a  projecting  sand- 
bank the  donkey  slipped.  Down  went  the  rider ; 
down  went  the  donkey  also — rider  and  beast 
floundering  in  the  dnsty  road. 

A  merry  peal  of  ill-suppressed  laughter  came 
from  the  road-side  ns  he  rolled  into  view.  It 
came  from  a  carringo.  In  the  carringe  were  the 
Spaniards— there,  too,  was  Buttons. 


I V  CHAPTER  IX. 

A  DRTVE  fNTO  THE  COtTSTRT. — A  FIGnT  WITH  A 
VETTIRISO. — THE  EFFECT  OF  EATING  "HARD 
BOILED  EGOS." — WHAT  THEY  SAW  AT  r.ISTUM. 
— FIVE  TEMPLES  AND  ONE  "MILL." 

To  hiro  a  carriage  in  Naples  for  any  length 
of  time  is  by  no  means  an  easy  tiling.  It  is 
necessary  to  h"1d  long  commune  with  the  pro- 
prietor, to  exert  all  tho  wiles  of  masterly  diplo- 
macy, to  circumvent  cunning  by  cunning,  to  ex- 
ert patience,  skill,  and  eloquence.  After  a  de- 
cision has  been  reached,  there  is  but  one  way  in 
which  you  can  hold  your  vetturino  to  his  bar- 
gain, and  that  is  to  bind  him  to  it  by  securing 
his  name  to  a  contract.  Every  vetturino  has  a 
printed  form  all  ready.  If  he  can't  write  his 
name,  he  does  something  equally  binding  and 
far  simpler.  He  dips  his  thumb  in  the  ink-lot- 
tlo  and  stamps  it  on  the  paper.  If  that  is  not 
his  signature,  what  else  is  it? 

"Thus,"  said  one,  "  Signer  Adam  sij^ncd  tho 
marriage-contract  with  Signora  Eva." 

After  incredible  difficulties  a  contract  had 
been  drawn  up  and  signed  by  the  horny  thumb 
of  a  certain  big  vetturino,  who  went  by  tho 
name  of  "  II  Piccolo."  It  was  to  the  effect  that, 
for  a  certain  specified  sum,  II  Piccolo  should 
take  the  j)arty  to  Pa;stum  and  bark,  with  a  de- 
tour to  Sorrento. 

It  was  a  most  delightful  morning.  All  were 
in  the  best  of  spirits.  So  they  stiirted.  On 
for  miles  through  interminable  streets  of  houses 
that  bordered  the  circular  shore,  through  crowds 
of  sheep,  droves  of  cattle,  dense  masses  of  hu- 
man beings,  through  which  innumerable  ca- 
icciies  ilaiit'U  iiku  inuicuia  iiiiiid  iiie  biuia  ui 
heaven.  Here  came  the  oxen  of  Southern  Italy, 
stately,  solemn,  long-horned,  cream-colorcJ ; 
there  marched  great  droves  of  Sorrento  hogs— 


THE  DODGE  CLUB  j  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


the  hog  of  hogs — a  itrange  bat  not  ill-farond 
animal,  thick  in  hide,  leaden  in  color,  hairless 
as  a  hippopotamus.  The  flesh  of  the  Sorrento 
hog  bears  the  same  relatign  to  common  pork 
tl.at  "Lubia's  Extrait"  bears  to  the  coarse 
s:ei)t  uf  a  country  grocery.  A  iwrk-cliup  from 
the  Sorrento  animal  comes  to  the  palate  with 
the  force  of  a  new  rerelatiou  ;  it  is  the  higliest 
possibility  of  pork — the  apotheosis  of  the  pig .' 
Long  lines  of  macaroni-cooks  doing  an  enor- 
moiH  bnsiness;  armies  of  dealers  in  anisette; 
crowds  of  water-carriers  ;  throngs  of  fishermen, 
carrvin;?  nets  and  singing  merry  songs — "  Ecco 
mi !"  "  Ecco  la!" — possible  Massaniellos  every 
man  of  them,  I  assure  you,  Sir.  And — envel- 
oping all,  mingling  with  all,  jostling  all,  busy 
with  till'  busiest,  idle  with  the  idlest,  noisy  with 
the  noisest,  jolly  with  the  jolliest,  the  fat,  oily, 
swarthy,  rosy — (etc.,  fur  further  cpitliets  see 
jirecoiling  pages) — iMzaroni ! 

Every  moment  produces  new  effects  in  the 
ever-shifting  scenes  of  Naples.  Here  is  the  re- 
verse of  monc  to  .y ;  if  any  thing  becomes  weari- 
some, it  is  the  variety.  Here  is  the  monotony 
of  incessant  change.  The  whole  city,  with  all 
its  vast  suburbs,  lives  on  the  streets. 

The  Senator  wiped  his  fevered  brow.  He 
thought  that  for  crowds,  noise,  tumult,  dash, 
hurry- skurrj-,  gayety,  life,  laughter,  joyance, 
and  all  that  incites  to  mirth,  and  all  that  stirs 
the  soul,  even  New  York  couldn't  hold  a  candle 
to  Naples. 

Kiibelais  ought  to  have  been  a  Neapolitan. 

Then,  as  the  city  gradually  faded  into  the 
country,  the  winding  road  opened  up  before 
tliem  with  avenues  of  majestic  trees — overhang- 
ing, arching  midway— forming  long  aisles  of 
sliade.  Myrtles,  that  grew  up  into  trees,  scent- 
ed the  air.  Interminable  groves  of  figs  and 
oranges  spread  away  up  the  hill,  intermingled 
with  the  darker  foliage  of  the  olive  or  cypress. 

Tlie  mountains  come  lovingly  down  to  bathe 
their  feet  in  the  sea.  The  road  winds  among 
them.  There  is  a  deep  valley  around  which 
rise  lofty  hills  topped  with  white  villages  or 
nnciont  towers,  or  dotted  with  villas  which  peep 
forth  from  amid  dense  groves.  As  far  as  the 
eye  can  rei.eh  the  vineyards  spread  awav. 
Not  as  in  France  or  Germany,  miserable  sandy 
fields  with  naked  poles  or  stunted  bushes ;  but 
vast  extents  of  trees,  among  which  the  vines 
leap  in  wild  luxuriance,  hanging  in  long  fes- 
toons from  branch  to  branch,  or  intertwining 
with  the  foliage. 

"  i  don't  know  how  it  is,"  said  the  Senator, 
"but  I'm  cussed  if  I  feel  as  if  tliishere  country 
was  ground  into  the  dust.  If  it  is,  it  is  no  bod  I 
tiling  to  go  through  the  mill.  I  don't  much  : 
wonder  that  these  /talians  don't  emigrate.  If 
I  owned  a  farm  in  this  neighborhood  I'd  stand 
a  good  deal  of  squeczin'  before  I'd  sell  out  and 
go  anyulieres  else."  | 

Al  cvLiiiiig  ihcy  reached  Saicrno,  a  watering-  j 
place  on  the  sea-coast,  and  Naples  in  miniature. 

There  is  no  town  in  Italy  withont  its  opera-  ; 
house  or  theatre,  and  among  the  most  vivid  and 


most  preciooi  of  scenic  delights  the  pantoniime 
commends  itself  to  the  Italian  bosom.  Uf 
coarse  there  was  a  pantomime  at  Salerno.  It 
was  a  mite  of  a  hoase ;  on  a  rough  calculation 
thirty  feet  by  twenty  ;  a  double  tier  of  boxes  ; 
a  parqaette  about  twelve  feet  gqus'^;  and  a 
stage  of  about  two-thirds  that  size. 

Yet  behold  what  the  ingenuity  of  man  can 
accomplish!  On  that  stage  there  were  p<»-- 
formed  all  the  usual  exhibitions  of  human  pas- 
sion, and  they  even  went  into  the  production 
of  great  scenic  displays,  among  whicli  a  great 
storm  in  the  forest  was  most  prominent. 

I'olichinello  was  in  his  glory  I  On  this  occa- 
sion the  joke  of  the  evening  was  an  English 
traveller.  The  ideal  Englishman  on  the  Con- 
tinent is  a  never-failing  source  of  merriment. 
The  presence  of  five  Americans  gave  addi- 
tional piquancy  to  the  show.  The  corpulent, 
double-chinned,  red-nosed  Englishman,  with 
knee-brcei'hes,  shoe-buckles,  and  absurd  coat, 
stamped,  swore,  frowned,  doubled  up  his  fists, 
knocked  down  waiters,  scattered  gold  right  and 
left,  was  arrested,  was  tried,  was  fined ;  but 
came  fortli  unterrified  from  every  persecution, 
to  rave,  to  storm,  to  fight,  to  lavish  money  as 
before. 

How  vivid  were  the  flashes  of  lightning  pro- 
duccd  by  touching  off  some  cotton-wool  soaked 
in  alcohol !  How  terrific  the  peals  of  thunder 
produced  by  the  vibrations  of  a  piece  of  sheet- 
iron  I  Whatever  wos  deficient  in  mechanical 
apparatus  was  readily  supplied  by  the  powerful 
imagination  of  the  Italians,  who,  though  they 
luid  often  seen  all  this  before,  were  not  at  all 
weary  of  looking  at  it,  but  enjoyed  the  thou- 
sandth repetition  as  much  as  the  first. 

Those  merry  Italians ! 

There  is  an  old,  old  game  played  by  everj 
vetturino. 

When  our  travellers  had  returned  to  the  ho- 
tel, and  were  enjoying  themselves  in  general 
conversation,  the  vetturino  bowed  himself  in. 
He  was  a  good  deal  exercised  in  his  mind. 
Vi'wh  a  great  preamble  he  came  to  the  point: 
As  they  intended  to  start  early  in  the  morning, 
he  supposed  they  would  not  object  to  settle  their 
little  bill  now. 

"  What!"  shouted  Buttons,  jumping  up. 
"  What  bill?  Settle  a  bill?  IV'e  settle  a  bill? 
Are  you  mad  ?" 

"  Your  excellencies  intend  to  settle  the  bill, 
of  course,"  said  the  vetturino,  with  much 
phlegm. 

"  (^ur  excellencies  never  dreamed  of  any 
sucli  tiling.'' 

"Not  pay?     Ha!  ha!     You  jest,  Signor." 

"  Di  you  see  this?"  said  Buttons,  solemnly 
producing  the  contract. 

"  Well  ?"  responded  II  Piccolo. 

"  What  is  this  ?" 

"  Our  contract." 

••  \>o  you  know  what  it  is  tliat  you  have  cr- 
gagcd  to  do?" 

"To  toko  you  to  Piestnm." 

'•  Yes  ;  to  Pn;stum  and  bade,  with  a  dijtour 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OU,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


■I 


m^i ' 


80 

to  ooirento.  Moreover,  you  engnRC  to  supply 
ui  with  three  meaU  k  day  and  lod(;-ng»,  for 
all  of  which  we  engase  to  pay  a  certain  sum. 
What,  then,"  cried  Buttons,  elevating  his  voice, 
"  in  the  nnmo  of  all  the  blessed  saints  and  apos- 
tles, do  vou  mean  by  coming  to  us  about  hotel 
bills?"  ' 

"  Signer,"  said  the  vctturino,  meekly,  "when 
Imade  that  contract  I  fear  1  was  too  sanguine." 
"Too  sanguine!" 

"  And  I  have  changed  my  mind  since." 
"  Indeed  ?" 

"  I  find  that  I  am  a  poor  man." 
"  Did  you  just  find  that  out  ?" 
"  And  that  i^  I  carry  out  this  it  will  ruin 
me." 

"Well?" 

"  So  you'll  have  to  pay  for  the  hotel  expenses 
yourselves,"  said  II  Piccolo,  with  desperation.  ^ 
"  I  will  forgive  this  insufferable  insolence," 
said  Buttons,  majestically,  "on  condition  that 
it  never  occurs  again.  Do  you  see  that  ?"  ho 
cried,  in  louder  tones. 

And  he  unfolded  the  contract,  which  ho  had 
been  holding  in  his  hand,  and  sternly  jwinted 
to  the  big  blotch  of  ink  that  was  supposed  to 
be  II  Piccolo's  signature. 

"  Do  you  see  that  t"  he  cried,  in  a  voice  of 
tbnnder. 

The  Italian  did  not  speak. 
"And  thatr"  he  cried,  pointing  to  the  sig- 
nature of  the  witness. 

The  Italian  opened  his  mouth  to  speak,  but 
was  evidently  nonplused. 

'■You  are  in  my  power'."  said  Buttons,  in  a 


fine  melodramatic  tone,  and  with  a  vivacity  of 
gesture  that  wai  not  without  iu  effect  on  the 
Italian.  He  folded  the  contract,  replaced  it  in 
his  breast-pocket,  and  slapped  it  with  fearful 
emphasis.  Every  slap  seemed  to  go  to  the 
heart  of  II  Piccolo. 

"  If  you  dare  to  try  to  back  out  of  this  agree- 
ment I'll  have  you  up  before  the  police.  I'll 
enforce  the  awful  penalty  that  punishes  the 
non-performance  of  a  solemn  engagement.  I'll 
have  you  arrested  by  the  Royal  Guards  in  the 
name  of  His  Majesty  tho  King,  and  cause  you 
to  be  incarcerated  in  the  lowest  dungeons  of 
St.  Elmo.  Besides,  I  won't  pay  you  for  tho 
ride  thus  far." 

With  this  last  remark  Buttons  walked  to  the 
door,  and  without  another  word  opened  it,  and 
motioned  to  II  Piccolo  to  leave.  The  vetturino 
departed  in  silence. 

On  the  following  morning  he  made  his  ap- 
pearance as  pleasant  as  though  nothing  had 
happened. 

Tho  carriage  rolled  away  from  Salerno. 
Broad  fields  stretched  away  on  every  side. 
Troops  of  villagers  marched  forth  to  their  la- 
bor.  As  they  went  on  they  saw  women  work- 
ing in  the  fields,  and  men  lolling  on  the  fences. 
"Do  you  call  that  tho  stuff  for  a  free  coun- 
try ?"  cried  the  Senator,  whose  whole  soul  rose 
up  in  arms  against  such  a  sight.  "  Air  these 
things  men  ?  or  can  such  slaves  ai  these  wom- 
en seem  to  be  give  birth  to  any  thing  bat 
slaves  ?" 

"  Bravo  !"  cried  Buttons. 
The  Senator  was  too  indignant  to  say  more, 
and  so  fell  into  a  fit  of  musing. 

"Dick,"  said  Buttons,  after  a  long  pause, 

"  you  are  as  pale  as  a  ghost.     I  believe  rou 

must  be  beginning  to  feel  the  miasma  from 

1  these  plains." 

1      "  Oh  no,"  said  Dick,  dolefully ;  "  something 

worse." 

"  What's  the  matter  ?" 

"Do  you  remember  ihc  eggs  we  had  for  din- 
iier  last  evening  ?" 

"Yes." 

"  That's  what's  the  matter,"  said  Dick,  with 
.t  proan  "  I  cnn't  explain  ;  but  this,  perhaps, 
will  tell  thee  all  I  feel." 

He  took  from  his  pocket  a  paper  and  handed 
it  to  Buttons.  Around  the  margin  were  drawn 
etchings  of  countless  fantastic  figures,  illustrat* 
in^!  the  following  lines : 

A  NIGlITMAna 
»  Cordon*  and  hydras,  and  chimeras  dire" 

BY   A  VICTIM. 

Eg.ii!     FgRsll     F.gg»l'.I      , 

Hard  Iwlled  egK»  fur  teal 
And  oh  I  tho  honlbla  niglitmare  dream 

They  brought  to  lucklcaa  mel 
The  hippopotamus  came ; 

lie  Mt  upon  my  chest :  ^,,     ,„ 

T!,*  iilnnnjuitiimm  roared  "I'll  «pot  luml"  as 
'  lie  trampled  upon  my  breaat. 
The  big  Iguanodon  hunched 

And  rooted  In  under  roe : 
The  blK  Iguanodon  raised  by  that  pin  0'  dooe 
Oveidune  i gs«  f'^r  '™' 


THE  DODGE  CLUB  j  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


ft*  tchthTOMnnu  triad 

To  roll  nw  up  In  •  ImII  ; 
While  all  th«  tbnw  ware  grinning  at  dm, 

Aoit  pounding  me,  bad  and  all. 

Hip!  hip  I  hurrah! 

It  waa  a  little  Mack  pig, 
And  a  big  bullt^oi;,  aoJ  a  bubtollaJ  dog— 

AU  of  tliem  dancing  a  Jig. 

And  nh,  the  make* !  the  make*  I 

Anil  the  boa  constrictor  t<io! 
And  tlie  cobra  cap«lln — a  terrible  fvlloT 

Came  to  my  horrified  tIcw, 

Snakes  and  horrible  beaita. 

Frog,  p\g^  and  dog 
Iliutled  lue,  punhed  me,  tickled  me,  eruehed  me, 

Uolled  me  about  like  a  log. 

The  little  blue  deTl.a  cimn  on  ; 

Thpy  rwle  on  a  needle' j*  jxjint ; 
And  the  big  giraffe,  with  aatbmatic  langh, 

And  luge  all  out  of  Joint. 
Data  crawled  Into  my  enr*, 

lIoppiiiK  about  in  my  bruln  ; 
And  grizzly  b«nra  rode  up  ou  maree. 

And  then  rode  doiin  agalti. 
An  antediluvian  roared. 

In  tlie  form  of  a  Brahmin  bull ; 
And  n  Patagonlan  aqueezcd  an  onion, 

Filling  my  aching  eye*  fuU. 

Tim  three  blue  bottlea  that  aat 

L'|ion  the  hiatorieal  atonoe 
Sani,  "  llcy  diddle  diddle  "—two  on  a  fiddle, 
The  other  one  on  the  bouea. 
•>\Vho<||  whoo!  whoo! 

Get  up,  gi  t  up,  yon  beauty  I 
Ilere  coiuo  the  aliavcd  monkeys,  a-rtJIng  on  don- 
kivj, 
Frcali  from  Bobberty  Shooty." 

They  ralwd  me  up  in  the  air, 

Bed,  body,  and  all, 
And  carried  me  aoon  to  the  man  In  the  moon. 

At  the  eicge  of  Scbaatopol. 

Down,  down,  down, 

Kound,  round,  round, 
A  whirlpool  hurled  me  out  of  the  world. 

And  oh,  no  bottom  I  found. 

Down,  down,  down, 

Whlri,  whirl,  whirl, 
And  the  IHorentine  boar  waa  pacing  the  aliore 

lib  tall  all  out  of  curl.  ' 

lie  smoked  my  favorite  pipe, 

He  blew  a  cloud  of  smoke, 
llo  polled  me  out  with  his  porcl  le  snojt. 

And  hugging  him,  I  awoke. 

"  Why,  Dick,"  cried  the  Senator,  "  what  pre- 
cious nonsense !" 

"  It  was  intended  to  bo  so,"  said  Dick. 

"  Well,  but  you  might  as  well  put  on  an  idee. 
It  must  have  some  meaning.'' 

"  Nut  a  bit  of  it.  It  has  no  meaning ;  that 
is,  no  more  than  a  dream  or  a  nightmare. " 

The  Senator  now  began  to  discuss  the  nature 
of  poetry,  but  was  suddenly  interrupted  by  a 
shout — 

"Tiie  Temples;" 

Tlic  country  about  Pjestum  is  one  of  the  most 
beautiful  in  the  world.  Between  the  mountains 
and  tlie  sea  lies  a  luxuriant  plain,  and  in  the 
middb  of  it  is  the  ruined  city.  The  outlines  of 
walls  and  remnants  of  gates  are  there.  Above 
all  rise  five  ancient  edifices.  They  strolled  care- 
lessly  around.  The  marble  floors  of  a  good 
many  private  houses  are  yet  visible,  but  the 
="-pcr.a.-,;;i  i,;uipies  are  the  chief  attractions 
here ;  above  all,  the  majestic  shrine  of  Neptune. 

It  was  while  standing  with  head  thrown  back, 
eves  and  mouth  opened  wide,  and  thoughts  all 


taken  tip  with  a  deep  calculation,  that  the  Senv 
tor  was  startled  by  a  sodden  noi«e. 

Turning  hastily  he  saw  something  that  made 
him  ran  with  the  speed  of  the  wind  toward  the 
place  where  the  noise  arose.  Bnttons  and  Dick 
were  surrounded  by  a  Cit>wd  of  fierce-looking 
men,  who  were  making  very  threatening  dem- 
onstrations. There  were  at  least  fifteen.  As 
the  Senator  ran  np  from  one  direction,  so  camo 
up  Mr.  Figgs  and  the  Doctor  from  another. 

"  What  ik  this  ?"  cried  the  Senator,  bursting 
in  open  the  crowd. 

A  huge  Italian  wm  shaking  his  fist  in  But- 
tuns's  face,  and  stamping  and  gesticulating  vio- 
Icatly. 

"These  men  say  we  must  pay  fire  piastres 
each  to  them  for  strolling  about  their  ground, 
and  Buttons  has  told  this  big  fellow  that  he  will 
give  them  five  kicks  each.  There'll  be  some 
kind  of  a  fight.  They  belong  to  the  Camorra." 
Dick  said  all  this  in  a  hurried  under-tone. 

"Camorry,  what's  that — brigands?" 

"  All  the  same." 

"  They're  not  armed,  anyhow." 

Just  at  this  moment  Buttons  said  something 
whicli  seemed  to  sting  the  Italians  to  the  soul, 
for  with  a  wild  shout  they  mshed  forward.  The 
Doctor  drew  out  his  revolver.  Instantly  Dick 
snatched  it  from  him,  and  rushing  forward, 
drove  back  the  foremost.  None  of  them  were 
armed. 

"Stand  off!"  ho  cried,  in  Italian.  "The 
fight  is  between  this  big  fellow  and  my  friend. 
If  any  one  of  you  interferes  I'll  put  a  bullet 
through  him." 

The  Italians  fell  back  cuning.  Buttons  in- 
stantly divested  himself  of  his  coat,  vest,  and 
collar.  The  Italian  waited  with  a  grim  smile. 
At  one  end  were  the  Senator,  the  Doctor,  Mr. 
Figgs ;  at  the  other  the  Italian  ruffians.  In  the 
middle  Buttons  ar.d  his  big  antagonist.  Near 
them  Dick  with  his  pistol. 

The  scene  that  followed  had  better  be  de- 
scribed in  Dick's  own  words,  as  he  pencillod 
them  in  his  memorandum-book,  from  time  to 
time,  keeping  a  sharp  lookout  with  his  pistol  . 
a^so.    Afterward  the  description  was  retouched  : 

Oreat  mill  at  Pceatum,  between  E.  Bdttons,  Eaq.,  Oentlt- 
vian,  and  Italian  party  calied  Hnevo. 

lut  Rminil — Beppo  defiant,  no  attitude  at  all.  Bn(- 
tona  aasuraed  an  elegant  pox4.  Beppo  made  a  snccea- 
sicm  of  wild  strokes  without  any  aim,  which  were  parried 
without  eff.irt.  After  which  Buttons  landed  four  blows, 
one  on  each  peeper,  one  on  the  amoller,  and  one  on  tha 
mug. 

Firtt  blood  for  Bntlonn.  Bpppo  considerably  aur- 
prlsed.  liUKbed  furiously  at  Buttons,  amis  HvinR  everv- 
where,  struck  over  Biutona's  head.  Uuttona  lightly  made 
cibuisancc,  and  then  fired  a  hundred-p.>under  on  Beppo'a 
left  auricular,  which  had  the  effect  of  bringing  him  to 
grasa.     Ftint  knock  duirn  for  Bullona. 

21  RounI — Foreign  population  quite  dumbfounded. 
Americans  amused  but  not  excited.  One  hundred  to  one 
on  Uuttona  eageriyoffered,  but  no  takers.  Beppi  Jumped 
to  his  feet  like  a  wild  cat.  Eyea  encircled  with  ebon 
jurioles,  olfactory  quite  demolished.  _  Made  a  rush   at 

him,  and  landed  a  rattler  on  the  Jugular,  which  again 
sent  foreign  party  to  graas. 

3d  fioiDK;. —Nimble  to  the  scratch.  Beppo  badly 
maahed  and  raving.  Buttons  unscathed  and  iauchlnir. 
Beppo  more  cautious  made  a  faint  attempt  to  get  Into 


il 

I 


■^^"^  *•? 


lUE  UlU.  AT  r^BIllH. 


,monB  the  forelgne"     J,'«P^  'JJ„'*7,  fhc  expiration 

nrocUUbed  victor.     "*)'y""'' i,„,  „.i.ine  a  j'-ort  time 
.  U   very  greatly  .r^^^^Jl*^'^!  wa^^ed  off  with  hi. 
Buttons  nwunied  bi«  garmenw  aua  w». 

frieDd& 


CHAPTER  X. 

THE  nEAKT-SICKENINO  RE8ULT8  TUEUEOF. 


After  the  victory  the  trftvcUers  left  Pa^stam 

on  their  return.  „       o         .,  i»  «»,o 

The  road  that  turns  off  to  Sorrento  w  the 
most  beautiful  in  the  world.  It  winds  a  our 
ihe  shore  with  innumerable  turnings,  chmbinp 
hills,  descending  into  valleys,  tvnn.ng  armtnd 
precipices.  There  are  scores  of  the  prettu!st 
viUa-es  under  the  sun,  ivy-covered  ruins,  frown- 
ing fortresses,  lofty  towers,  and  elegant  villa. 

At  last  Sorrento  smiles  ont  from  a  vallc) 
which  is  proverbial  for  l«auty,  where  withm  its 
shelter  of  hills,  neither  the  hot  blast  of  m.dsum- 
^„r  nnr  .he  cold  winds  of  winter  can  ever  dis- 
turb its  repose.  This  is  the  vaiicy  oi  ,k=.  |n.iu.u 
,prin?,  where  fruits  forever  grow,  and  the  sea- 
wns  all  blend  together,  so  that  the  same  orchard 
ihows  trees  in  blossom  and  bearing  fruit. 


1      On  the  following  morning  Buttons  and  Dick 
'  went  a  little  way  out  of  town,  and  down  tho 
stem  clitf  toward  tho  shore. 

U  was  a  classic  spot.     Here  was  no  less  a 
place  than  the  cave  of  Polyphemus,  w^.ere  Ho- 
mer, at  least,  may  have  stoo.i,  if  Llyssc   didn  t 
And  here  is  tho  identical  stone  with  which  the 
1  Riant  was  wont  to  block  up  the  entrance  to  his 

r"rhe"sea  rolled  before.  Away  down  to  0^ 
richt  was  Vesuvius,  starting  from  which  tho 
et  ook  in  the  whole  wide  sweep  of  the  shore 
'unedwith  white  cities,  with  a  background  of 
mountains,  till  the  lyd  terminated  in  bold  prom- 
ontories. 

Opposite  was  tho  Isle  of  Capn. 

Myriads  of  white  sails  flashed  across  the  sea. 

One  of  these  arrested  the  attention  of  But- 
tons"and  so  absorbed  him  that  he  stared  fixed- 
Iv  at  it  for  half  an  hour  without  mov.n-. 
'      Al  length  an  exclamation  burst  from  h.m  : 

"RvJove!     Itisl     It>sl" 

"AVhatis?     AVhnt  is?" 

"The  Spaniards'." 

"Where?" 

::  Ah'r  Sii'ick,  coolly,  looking  at  the  ob- 

1   .     .        --^i^  "..»  l^f  nntlons. 
I  '%  ^^ati  Engiish  sail-boat,  with  a  s-naii  cal^ 
in  and  an  immense  sail.     In  the  stern  were  a 
!  gentleman  and  two  Indies.     Buttons  was  confi- 
i  dent  that  they  were  the  Spaniards. 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OH,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX 


sn 


Tim  BI'AMASIW. 

"Well,"  said  Dick,  "what's  tho  use  of  get- 
ting so  excited  aboat  it  ?" 

"  Why,  I'm  going  back  to  Naples  by  water!" 

"Are  you?  Then  I'll  go  too.  Shall  we 
leave  tlie  others  ?" 

"Certainly  not,  ifthey  wantto  come  with  us." 

Upon  inquiry  they  found  that  the  others  liad 
a  strong  objection  to  going  by  sea.  Mr.  Figgs 
preferred  the  ease  of  the  carriage.  The  Doctor 
tliouglit  tho  sea  air  injurious.  The  Senator  had 
the  honesty  to  confess  that  he  was  afraid  of  sea- 
sickness. They  would  not  listen  to  jjcrsuasion, 
but  were  all  resolutely  bent  on  keeping  to  tho 
carriage.  . 

Buttons  exhibited  a  feverish  haste  in  search- 
ing after  a  boat.  There  was  but  little  to  choose 
from  amcng  a  crowd  of  odd-looking  fishing-boats 
that  crowded  the  shore.  However,  they  se- 
lected tho  cleanest  from  imong  them,  and  soon 
the  boat,  with  her  broad  sail  spread,  was  dart- 
ing over  tho  sea. 

Tha  boat  of  which  they  went  in  pursnit  was 
Air  away  over  near  the  other  shore,  taking  long 
tacks  across  the  liay.  Buttons  headed  his  boat  so 
as  to  meet  the  other  on  its  return  tack. 

It  was  a  magnificent  scene.  After  exhaust- 
ting  every  shore  view  of  Naples,  there  is  nothing 
like  taking  to  the  water.  Every  thing  then  ap- 
pears in  a  new  light.  The  far,  winding  cities 
that  surround  the  shore,  tho  white  villages,  the 
purple  Apennines,  the  rocky  isles,  tho  frowning 
volcano. 

This  is  what  makes  Naples  snprcmc  in  beauty. 
Tho  peculiar  combinations  of  scenery  that  are 
found  there  make  rivalry  impossible.  For  if 
you    find  elsewhere  nn   etjually  beautiful  bay. 


'  you  will  not  have  to  liquid  an  ntmoiphcre ;  if 
you  have  a  shore  with  equal  beatity  of  outline, 
and  equal  grace  in  its  long  sweep  of  towering 
headland  and  retreating  iloiie,  you  will  not  have 
so  deep  a  purple  on  the  diatant  hill*.  Above 
all,  nowhere  else  on  earth  hai  Nature  placed  in 
tho  very  centre  of  to  divine  a  scone  the  contrast- 
ed terrors  of  the  black  volcano. 

Watching  a  chaie  i«  exciting ;  bnt  taking 
part  in  it  is  much  more  so.  Buttons  had  mado 
the  most  scientific  arrangements.  Ho  had  caU 
culatcd  that  at  a  certain  point  on  the  opposite 

{  shore  the  other  boat  would  turn  on  a  new  tack, 
and  that  if  he  steered  to  his  boat  to  a  point  about 
half-way  over,  he  would  meet  them,  without  ap- 
[icaring  to  bo  in  pursuit.  He  accordingly  felt  so 
dated  at  the  idea  that  he  burst  forth  into  song. 
The  other  boat  at  length  had  passed  well  over 
under  the  shadow  of  the  land.  It  did  not  turn. 
Further  and  further  over,  and  still  it  did  not 

'  change  its  course.  Buttons  still  kept  the  coarse 
which  ho  had  first  chosen ;  but  finding  that  ho 
was  getting  far  out  of  the  way  of  the  other  boat, 
ho  was  forced  to  turn  the  head  of  his  boat  closer 

I  to  the  wind,  and  sail  slowly,  watching  the 
others. 

There  was  an  island  immediately  ahead  of 
the  other  boat.     What  was  his  dismay  at  sec- 

'  ing  it  gracefully  pass  beyond  the  outer  edgo 
of  tho  island,  turn  behind  it,  and  vanish.  Ho 
struck  the  taifrail  furiously  with  his  clenched 

I  hand.     However,  there  was  no  help  for  it ;  so, 

i  changing  his  course,  he  steered  in  a  straight  lino 
after  the  other,  to  where  it  had  disapjicarcd. 
Now  that  the  boat  was  out  of  sight  Dick  did 

I  not  feel  himself  called  on  to  watch.  So  ho  went 
forward  into  tho  bow,  and  made  himself  a  snug 
berth,  where  he  laid  down  ;  and  lighting  his 
pipe,  looked  dreamily  out  through  a  cloud  of 
smoke  u|)on  the  charming  scene.  Tho  tossing 
of  the  boat  and  the  lazy  flapping  of  the  sails 
had  a  soothing  influence.  His  nerves  owned 
tho  lulling  power.  His  eyelids  grew  heavy  and 
gently  descended. 

The  wind  and  waves  and  islands  and  sea  and 
sky,  all  mingled  together  in  a  confused  mass, 
came  before  his  mind.  Ho  was  sailing  on 
clouds,  and  cha.=ing  Spanish  ladies  through  tho 
sky.  The  drifting  currents  of  the  air  bore  them 
resistlessly  along  in  wide  and  never-ending 
cu^^•es  upward  in  spiral  movements  toward  the 
zenith  ;  and  then  off  in  ever-increasing  speed, 
with  ever-widening  gyrations,  toward  the  sun- 
set, where  the  clouds  grew  red,  and  lazaroni 
grinned  from  behind — 

A  sudden  bang  of  the  huge  sail  struck  by  the 
wind,  a  wild  creaking  of  the  boom,  and  a  smart 
dash  of  spray  over  tho  bows  and  into  his  face 
waked  him  from  his  slumber.  He  started  up, 
half  blinded,  to  look  around.  Buttons  sat  gaz- 
ing over  the  waters  with  an  expression  of  bitti-r 
vexation.  They  had  passed  the  outer  point  of 
the  island,  and  had  caught  a  swift  current,  i» 
chopping  sea,  and  a  brisk  breeze.  The  other 
boat  was  nowhere  to  be  seen.  Buttons  had  al- 
ready headed  back  again. 


.  '■  ►'■ 


81 


THE  DOUOE  CLUD;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCUX. 


-f 


"  I  (lon'l  MO  tho  other  boat,"  will  Dick. 
Button*  without  a  word  pointeJ  to  tho  left. 
There  iho  wm.  She  had  Rone  quietly  around 
the  i»lond,  and  had  taken  tho  channel  t)Ctwcen 
it  and  the  shore.  All  thn  time  that  iilio  had 
been  hi.lden  the  was  atcadily  increasing  tho 
distance  between  them. 

"There's  no  help  for  it,"  s.iiJ  Dick,  "but  to 
Veep  straight  after  them." 

Huttoni  did  not  reply,  bnt  leaned  back  with 
n  Fwcct  expression  of  j^ticncc.     The  two  Ixmt* 
kept  on  in  this  way  for  ii  long  time  ;  bul  the 
one  in  whioh  our  friends  had  embarked  was  no  I 
match  at  all  for  tho  one  they  were  imnuiiig. 
/vt  every  new  tack  this  fact  became  more  jiain- 1 
fully  evident.     Tho  only  hope  lor  Buttons  was  ^ 
to  regain  by  his  sujicrior  nautical  skill  what  he 
might  lose.     Those  in  the  other  boat  had  but 
little  skill  in  sailing,     These  ut  length  bocamo 
iiwnro   that  they  were    followcil,  and  regarded 
their  pursuers  with  earnest  attention.      It  did 
not  seem  to  have  any  eti'ect. 

"  They  know  we  are   afier   them   at  last  1" 
said  Dick. 

•'  I  wonder  if  thoy  can  recognize  us  ?' 
"  If  they  do  they  have  shiirp  eyes.      I  11  be 
h.inged  if  I  can  recognize  them  !      1  don't  see 
how  you  can." 

"Instinct,  Dick— instinct !"    said   Buttons, 
with  animation. 

"What's  that  flashing  in  their  boat?" 
"That?"  said  Buttons.     "It's  a  spy-gla.«. 
I  didn't  notice  it  before." 

"  I've  seen  it  for  the  last  half- 

' '  Then  they  must  recognize  us.  v  strange 


that  they  don't  slacken  a  little  I  Terhape  we 
are  not  in  full  view.  I  will  sit  a  little  more  out 
of  the  thado  of  the  sail,  so  that  they  can  recog- 
nize me." 

Accordingly  Button*  mored  cot  to  a  more 
conspicuous  jilacc,  and  Dick  allowed  himself  to 
1)0  more  visible. '  Again  tho  flashing  brass  wai 
seen  in  tho  boat,  and  they  could  plainly  |)er- 
tcive  that  it  was  paiscd  from  one  to  tho  other, 
while  each  took  a  long  survey. 

' '  They  must  bo  able  to  see  ui  if  they  liavo 
any  kind  of  a  glast  at  nil." 

"  I  should  think  so,"  said  Buttons,  dolefully 
I      "  Are  you  sure  they  arc  the  Spaniards?" 
"Oh  !   quite." 

"Then  I  must  say  they  might  be  a  little 
more  civil,  and  not  keep  us  racing  after  them 
forever !" 

'      "Oh,  I  don't  know  ;  I  suppose  they  wouldn't 
like  to  sail  close  up  to  us." 

"  They  needn't  sail  np  to  us,  but  they  might 
give  US  a  chance  to  hail  them." 

"  I  don't  think  tho  man  they  liaTC  with  them 
looks  like  ScHor  Francia." 

"  Francia  ?     Is  that  his  name  ?     He  certain- 
ly looks  larger.     He  is  larger." 
"Look!" 

As  Buttons  sp<,ko  tho  boat  ahead  fel'  rapidly 
to  leeward.  Thcwind  had  fallen,  and  a  cur- 
rent which  they  had  struck  upon  boro  them 
away.  In  the  effort  to  escape  from  the  current 
the  boat  headed  toward  Buttons,  and  when  tho 
wind  again  iiruse  she  continued  to  sail  towaid 
them.  As  they  came  iiinicr  Button's  face  ex- 
hibited a  strange  varitty  of  exprcssiona- 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  >f  DCCCLIX. 


U 


Thoy  met. 

In  the  other  boat  Mt  two  Engliih  ladie*  and 
It  tnll  gentleman,  who  eyed  the  two  young  men 
flxedly,  with  u  "itony  liritiih  itare." 

"  A  thujtand  pardoni  1"  said  Duttoni,  rifin;; 
and  ixiwinC'  *'  1  miitook  you  fur  lome  ac- 
tjiiaintancei.  "  * 

Whorcu|X)n  the  other*  tmilcJ  in  a  friend! 
wny,  tKiwed,  and  said  symcthini;.     A  few  com- 
monpliico*  were   interchanged,  and   the   toati 
drilled  away  out  of  hearing. 


CIIAI'TKU  XI. 

THE  HBSATOR  HAS  HITII  A  PANCY  FOR  RREKING 
I  sniTL  INroKMATIDN  !  — flKlllt'S  IHMIITION  or 
A  WISE,  ANI>  WEI.I.  KNOWN,  AND  DK.'T.UVEnLY- 
■  ■olM'I.AIi  I.EOISLATOH,  AND  L'NIIIUNIFIEU  MODE 
OP  Ills  BiiCAHE. 

It  was  not  much  after  ten  in  the  morning 
nlicn  Buttons  and  Dick  returned.  On  reach- 
ing tlio  hotel  they  found  Mr.  Fijjgs  and  tho 
Doctor,  wlio  asked  them  if  they  hiul  seen  tho 
Senator.  To  which  they  replied  by  putting  tho 
Kainc  question  to  their  questioners. 

Ho  had  not  been  seen  since  they  had  all  been 
to;;e(hcr  last.     Where  was  he? 

coursj  thi^T".  was  no  anxiety  felt  about 
hii...  Out  still  they  all  wislied  to  iiave  him  near 
at  band,  as  it  was  about  time  for  them  to  leave 
the  town.  The  vetturino  was  already  grum- 
biiiii:,  nnd  it  required  a  pretty  strong  rcniun- 
strnnca  from  Buttons  to  silence  him. 

Til  v  linil  nothing  to  do  but  to  wait  patient- 
ly. .Mr.  Fig;;9  and  the  Doctor  lounged  about 
the  sofiis.  Buttons  and  Dick  strolled  about  the 
town.  Hearing  strains  of  music  as  they  passed 
•  he  cntlicdral,  they  turned  in  there  to  listen  to 
the  service.  Why  there  should  be  service,  and 
fall  service  too,  they  could  not  imagine. 

"Can  it  bo  Sunday,  Dick?"  said  Buttons, 
gravely. 

"Who  can  tell?"  c.xcluimed  Dick,  lost  in 
wopilcr. 

The  cathedral  was  a  small  one,  with  nave 
nnd  transept  as  usual,  and  in  the  Italian  Gothic 
style.  At  the  end  of  the  nave  stood  tho  high 
altar,  which  was  now  illuminated  with  wax-can- 
dles, while  priests  officiated  before  it.  At  the 
right  extremity  of  tho  transept  was  the  organ- 
loft,  a  somewhat  unusual  position;  while  at 
tho  dJ)posite  end  of  the  transept  was  a  smaller 
door.  The  church  was  moderately  filled.  Prob- 
ably there  were  as  many  people  there  as  it  ever 
had.  They  knelt  on  the  floor  with  their  faces 
toward  the  altar.  Finding  the  nave  somewhat 
crowded.  Buttons  and  Dick  went  around  to  tho 
door  at  tho  end  of  the  transept,  and  entered 
there.  A  large  space  was  empty  as  far  as  tho 
junction  with  the  nave.  Into  this  the  two  jouug 
men  entered,  very  reverently,  and  on  coming 

^P^_   *_    ;V..-.   7.?...-..^   ...1...—.    il...'  ..^U....  ».^».  .: . 

were  they  knelt  down  in  the  midst  of  them. 

While  looking  before  him,  with  his  mind 
full  of  thoughts  called  up  by  the  occasion,  and 


while  the  grand  music  «f  ont  '  Moiart's  maiaet 
was  filling  his  soul,  Buttons  •uddenly  full  h9 
arm  twitched.     He  turned.     It  was  Dick. 

Buttons  was  horrified.  In  ilie  midst  of  Ihla 
sidt'inn  srene  the  young  man  wns  conrnlsed 
uiih  laughter.  His  feature*  were  working,  hi* 
lipi  moving,  as  ho  tried  to  whisper  something 
vvhich  hi*  laughter  prevented  him  from  *aying, 
and  tear*  were  in  his  eye*.  \t  last  be  stuck 
liii  handkerchief  in  his  mouth  and  bowed  down 
very  low,  while  ht»  whole  frame  shook.  Some 
of  the  worshiper*  near  by  looked  scandalized, 
othci-s  shocked,  others  angrv'.  Buttons  felt 
vexed.  At  last  Dick  raised  his  face  and  rolled 
his  eyes  toward  tho  organ-loft,  and  insuntly 
bowed  his  head  again.  Buttons  looked  up  me- 
chanically, following  the  direction  of  Dick'^ 
glance.  The  next  instant  ho  too  fell  forward, 
toro  his  handkerchief  out  of  his  ]Mx:ket,  whili] 
his  whole  framo  f^hook  with  the  most  painful 
convulsion  of  laughter. 

And  how  dreadful  in  Huch  a  convulsion  in  a 
solemn  place  !  In  a  church,  amid  worshiper*  ; 
perhaps  especially  amid  worshii)ers  of  another 
creed,  for  then  one  is  suspected  of  offering  de- 
liberate insult.  8o  it  was  here.  People  near 
saw  tho  twc  young  men,  and  darted  angry  looks 
at  them. 

Now  whot  was  it  that  had  so  excited  two 
yoiing  men,  v\\o  were  by  no  .icans  inclined  to 
offer  insult  to  any  otic,  csi-eci-ilW  =n  relijjiL-» 
matters  ? 

It  WHS  this:  As  they  looked  up  to  the  organ- 
loft  they  saw  a  figure  there. 

The  organ  projected  from  the  woll  about  six 
feet;  on  the  left  siilc  was  the  handle  worked  by 
the  man  who  blew  it,  and  a  space  for  the  choir. 
On  the  right  was  a  small  narrow  space  not  more 
than  alH)ut  three  feet  wide,  and  it  was  in  this 
Sfiaco  that  they  saw  tho  figure  which  produced 
such  an  effect  on  them. 

It  was  the  Senator.  Ho  stood  there  erect, 
bare-headed  of  course,  with  confusion  in  his 
face  and  ve.xation  and  bewilderment.  The 
sight  of  him  was  enough — tho  astonishing  posi- 
tion of  the  man,  in  such  a  place  at  such  a  time. 
But  the  Senator  was  looking  eagerly  for  help. 
And  he  had  seen  them  enter,  and  all  his  soul 
was  in  his  eyes,  and  all  his  eyes  were  fixed  on 
those  two. 

As  Dick  looked  up  startled  and  confounded 
at  the  sight,  tho  Senator  projected  his  head  as 
far  forward  as  he  dared,  frowned,  nodded,  and 
then  began  working  his  lips  violently  as  certain 
deaf  and  dumb  people  do,  who  converse  by  such 
movements,  and  can  understand  what  words  are 
said  by  the  shape  of  the  mouth  in  uttering  '.hem. 
But  the  effect  was  to  make  the  Senator  look 
like  a  man  who  was  making  grimaces  for  a 
wager,  like  those  in  Victor  Hugo's  "  Notre 
Dame."  As  such  the  apparition  was  so  over- 
powering  that  neither  Buttons  nor  Dick  dared 
to  iook  up  ror  aorriu  litiiO.  t**  rmt  limuo  a  vv'oiSt;, 
each  was  conscious  that  the  other  was  laughing, 
so  that  sclf-contro'  was  all  the  more  difficult. 
Worse  still,  each  knew  that  this  figure  in  the 


\ir^'=~- 


Tlli;  UODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


organ-loft  was  watchin;j  them  with  his  hnn-ry 
i-lancc,  ready  the  moment  that  they  looked  up 
To  be^in  his  grimaces  once  more. 

"That  poor  Senator:"  thoufiht  Buttons; 
"  hov.-  did  he  Rot  there  ?     Oh,  how  did  ho  get 

tlierc  ?" 

Yet  how  could  he  bo  rescued  ?  Could  he  be  ? 
No.     lie  must  wait  till  the  service  should  bo 

Meanwhile  the  vouii;^  men  mustered  sufiicicnt 
courage  to  look  up  again,  and  afior  a  miglity 
Btrnggle  to  gaze  upon  the  ^!'  '^'or  for  a  few 
soc.mds  at  a  time  ut  1  ! '    -   be  stood, 

Ijr.jectiug   forward   his     .    '     -   '  .^e,   making 
faces  as  each  one  looked  < 


TIIK    PENATOR. 


Now  tlif  people  in  the  immoili:itp  vicinity  of 
tlie  two  voung  men  had  noticed  their  agitation 
,.s  has  already  been  stated,  and.  moreover,  they 
had  looked  up  to  see  the  cause  of  it.     They  too 
;......   .1,;.,   Senstor.      Otliers  aijain.  seeing   their 

neigbbovB  looking  up,  did  the  same,  until  at  last 
all  in  the  transept  were  staring  up  at  the  odd- 
looking  stranger. 

As  Buttons  and  Dick  looked  up,  which  they 


could  not  help  doing  often,  the  Senntc^r  would 
repeat  his  mouthings,  and  nods,  and  becks,  and 
looks  of  entreaty.     The  consequence  was,  that 
the   people  thought  the  stranger  was  making 
faces  at  them.     Three  hundred  and  forty-seven 
honest  people  of  Sorrento  thus  found  themselves 
sliamefuUy  insulted  in  their  own  church  by  a 
barbarous  foreigner,  jirobably  an  Knglishman, 
no  doubt  a  heretic.     The  other  four  hundred 
and  thirty-six  who  knell  in  the  na^e  knew  noth- 
ing about  it.     They  could  not  see  the  organ- 
loft  at  all.     The  jiriests  at  the  high  altar  could 
not  see  it,  so  that  they  were  uninterrupted  in 
their  duties.      The  singers  in  the  organ-loft  saw- 
nothing,  for   the   Senator  was  concealed   from 
their  view.     Those  therefore  who  saw  him  were 
the  people  in  the  transept,  who  now  kept  stnr- 
ing  fixedly,  and  with  angry  eyes,  at  the  nnin  in 

the  loft. 

There  was  no  chance  cf  getting  him  otit  of 
that  before  the  service  was  over,  and  Buttot^s 
saw  that  there  might  be  a  serious  tumult  when 
the  Senator  came  down  among  that  wrathful 
crowd.  Ever}-  moment  made  it  worse.  Those 
in  the  nave  faw  the  agitation  of  those  in  the 
transept,  and  got  some  idea  of  the  cause. 

At  last  the  service  was  ended  ;  the  singers 
deiiartcd,  the  priests  retired,  but  the  congrega- 
tion remained.  Seven  hundred  and  eighty- 
three  human  beings  waiting  to  take  vent:eancc 
on  the  miscreant  who  had  thrown  ridicule  on 
■  tlie  llolv  Father  by  making  faces  at  the  fnithful 
as  they"  knelt  in  prayer.  Already  a  murmur 
arose  on  every  side. 

"  A  heretic  1  A  heretic  !  A  bias)  hcmcr  ! 
He  has  insulted  us !' 

Buttons  saw  that  a  bold  stroke  alone  could 
save  them.  He  burst  into  the  midst  of  tho 
throni;  followed  by  Dick. 

'•  Klv  !"  he  cried.  "  Fly  for  your  lives !  Jt 
is  ti  tK'iilman .'     Fly!     Fly!'' 

A  loud  cry  of  terror  arose.  Instantaneous 
conviction  fla'shed  on  the  minds  of  all.  A  mad- 
man !     Yes.     He  could  be  nothing  else. 

A  panic  nrcsc.  The  people  recoiled  from 
before  that  terrible  madman.  Buttons  sj.rang 
up  to  the  loft.  He  seized  the  Senator's  arm 
and  dragged  him  down.  The  people  flejl  in 
horror.  As  tho  Senator  emerged  he  saw  seven 
hundred  and  eighty-three  good  peojde  of  Sor- 
rento scampering  away  like  the  wind  across  tho 
wpiare  in  front  of  the  cathedral, 
i  On  re:iching  the  hotel  he  told  his  story.  He 
'had  been  jieering  about  in  search  of  useful,  in- 
forimition.  and  had  entered  the  cathedral.  After 
going  through  every  part  he  went  up  into  the 
organ-loft.  Just  then  the  singers  came.  In- 
stead of  going  out  like  a  man,  he  dodged  Ihein 
from  somo  absurd  cause  or  other,  with  a  half 
idea  that  he  would  get  into  trouble  for  intrud- 
ing. T'"'  '"^"S''''  '"-'  ''*">■*''' "'"  ""''"'  "  "^ "'' 
him.-   At  last  lio  saw  Buttons  and  Dick  enter, 

and  tried  lo  uiakt;  .•,n;nai-;.  ,     ,    ■    .. 

"Well,"  said  Buttons,  "wo  had  better 
leave  The  Sorrentonians  will  be  around  hero 
soon  to  see  tho  maniac.     They  will  find  out  al2 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


87 


about  liim,  and  mako  us  acquainted  with  Lynch 
la^v." 

In  a  (lunrtcr  cif  an  hour  more  they  were  on 
their  \\i\y  back  to  Na!)les 


CIIAPTEU    XII. 

HERCrXAKErM  AND  POMrEII,  AND  ALL  THAT  Tlin 
SKillT  OF  THOSE  FAMOIS  I'LACES  I'KODUCEU  ON 
TUE  MINDS  OF  THE  DODGE  CLID. 

TiiKY  had  already  visited  Ilcrculancum,  bnt 
tlie  only  feeling  wliich  had  been  awakened  by 
the  si(;lit  of  tliiit  ill-fated  city  was  one  of  un- 
mitigated disgust.  As  honesty  was  the  chief 
cliaractcristic  of  tlie  whole  iiarty,  they  did  not 
hesitate  to  express  themselves  with  the  utmost 
freedom  on  tliis  subject.  Tlicy  lioped  for  bet- 
ter tilings  from  I'ompcii.  At  any  rate  I'ompcii 
was  above  ground;  what  might  be  tlierc  would 
be  visible.  No  fuss  with  torches.  No  hum- 
bu^'ginp;  witli  lanterns.  No  wandering  through 
lung  libuk  jiassages.  No  mountains  bringing 
f.jrth  mice. 

Their 'expectations  wore  cncourrgod  as  they 
walked  up  the  street  of  Tombs  leading  to  the 
Ilorculaneum  Gate.  Tombs  were  all  around, 
liny  ((uantity,  all  sizes,  little  black  vaults  full  of 
pigeon-holes.  Those  they  narrowly  examined, 
and  when  the  guide  wasn't  looking  they  filled 
their  pockets  with  the  ashes  of  the  dead. 

"Strange,"   quoth   the   Senator,    musingly. 


"that  these  ancient  Pompey  fellers  should  pick 
out  this  kind  of  a  way  of  getting  buried.  This 
must  bo  the  reason  why  ])eoi)lo  speak  of  urns 
and  ashes  when  tlicy  s\>cak  of  dead  pco;>le." 

Tliey  walked  through  the  Villa  of  Diomedcs. 
Tlioy  were  somewhat  disapiwintcd.  From 
guide-books,  and  esiiccially  from  the  remarka- 
lily  well-pot-up  I'ompeian  court  at  Sydenham 
I'alacc,  Buttons  had  been  !'^d  to  expect  some- 
thing far  grander.  IJut  in  this,  the  largest 
house  in  the  city,  Avhat  did  ho  find  ?  Mites  of 
rooms,  in  fact  closets,  iu  which  even  a  humble 
modern  would  find  himself  rather  crowded. 
Tlicrc  was  scarcely  a  decent-sized  apartment  in 
the  whole  establishment,  as  they  all  indignant- 
ly declared.  The  cellars  were  more  striking. 
A  numl)cr  of  carthcrn  vessels  of  enormous  size 
were  in  one  corner. 

"  What  are  those  ?"  asked  the  Senator. 

"Wine  jars.'' 

""Wiiat?" 

"  Wine  jars.    They  didn't  nse  wooden  casks." 

"The  more  fools  they.  Now  do  you  moan 
to  say  that  wooden  casks  arc  not  infinitely  more 
convenient  than  these  things  that  can't  stand 
up  without  they  are  loaned  against  the  wall? 
rho!" 

At  one  comer  the  guide  stopped,  ^nd  point- 
ing down,  said  something. 

"  Whet  does  he  say  ?"  asked  the  Senator. 

"  He  says  if  you  want  to  know  how  the  Pom- 
peians  got  choked,  stoop  down  and  smell  that. 


iii^--. 


viLuv  or  i>iOMi:Di.ii. 


r 


38 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OK,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


niEW  1 

Every  body  who  comes  licrc  is  oxpcctcil  to  smell 
this  particular  spot,  or  he  can't  say  that  he  has 
teen  I'ompeii." 

So  down  went  the  five  on  their  knees,  and 

up  npain  faster  than  they  went  down.     With  one 

universal  shout  of:  "  I'liew-w-w-w-w-h-h-h  !  ! !" 

It  was  a  torrent  of  sulphurous  vapor  that  they 

inhaled. 

"  Xow,  I  suppose,"  paid  the  Senator,  as  soon 
as  ho  could  speak,  "  that  that  there  comes  di- 
rect in  a  bee-line  throuf;h  a  subterranean  tun- 
nel rif;ht  straight  from  old  Vesuvius." 

"Yes,  and  it  was   this   that   sugcesfed  the 
famous  scheme  for  cxtinsuishinR  the  volcano." 
"How?     What  famous  scheme ?■' 
"Why,  an  F.nglish  stock-broker  came  here 
last  year,  and  smellcd  this  ]ihiee,  as  every  one  ^ 
must  do.     An  idea  struck  him.     He    started  i 
lip.     He  ran  off  without   a  word.     lie  went , 
straight   to  London.     There    he  organized   a' 
eonii)any.     They  propose  to  dig  a  tuni^cl  from 
the  sea  to  the  interior  of  the  mountain.     When 
all  is  ready  they  will  let  in  the  water.      There 
will  bo  a  tremendous  hiss.     The  volcano  w  ill  i 
belch  out  steam  for  about  six  weeks;  but  the 
result  will  bo  that  tlie  fives  will  bo  juit  out  for- 
ever." 

From  the  Villa  of  Diomed  's  tlicj  went  to  the 
pr.to  wlierc  the  guurd-houso  is  seen.      ISuttons 
tol.l  the  story  of  the  sentinel  who  died  there  i 
duty,  embellishing  it  witli  a  few  new  features 
of  an  original  character. 

"Xow  tlint  may  bo  all  very  well,"  said  the 
Senator,   "but  don't    ask   nic   to  admire   that 


chap,  or  tho  Roman  nmiT, 
or  the  system.  It  was  all 
hollow.  Why,  don't  you  sea 
the  man  was  a  blockhead  ? 
He  hadn't  sense  enough  to 
see  that  when  the  whole 
place  was  going  to  the  dogs, 
it  was  no  good  stopping  to 
guard  it.  He'd  much  belter 
liavc  cleared  out  and  saved 
his  jirecious  life  for  the  good 
of  liis  country.  Do  you 
suppose  a  Yankee  would  act 
that  way?" 

"  I  sliould  sup]  ose  not." 
"That  man,  Sir,  was  a 
maoliino,  and  nothing  more. 
A  sohlier  must  know  somc- 
tiiing  else  than  merely  obey- 
ing orders." 

By  this  tiiue  they  had 
passed  through  the  gate  and 
stood  inside.  The  street 
opened  before  them  for  a 
considerable  dist.Tncc  with 
houses  on  each  side.  In- 
cluding the  si  alks  it 
mi^;ht  have  beiu  almost 
twelve  feet  wide.  As  only 
tiie  lower  ])art  of  the  walls 
of  the  houses  was  standing, 
the  show  that  they  made  was 
not  imposing.  Tliere  was  no  splendor  in  the  ar- 
chitecture or  the  material,  for  the  style  of  the 
buildings  was  extremely  simple,  and  they  were 
made  with  brick  covered  with  stucco. 

After  wandering  silently  through  the  streets 
the  Senator  at  length  burst  forth  : 
"I  say  it's  an  enormous  imposition!" 
"  What  'i"  incpiired  Buttons,  faintly. 
"Why,  tho   whole   system   of  Cyelo]  cdias. 
Panoramas,  Books  of  Travel,  Wpodbridge's  Ge- 
ography, Sunday-school  Books — " 
"  What  do  you  mean  ?" 
"I  mean  tho  descriptioi'.s  thoy  give  of  this 
I>laco.     The  fellows  who  write  alwut  it  get  into 
tlio   heroics,  and   what  with  their  de.scrij)tions, 
an  1  pictures,  and  moralizing,  you  believe  it  is 
a  second  Babylon.      It  don't  seem  possible  for 
any  of  them  to  tell  the  truth.     Why,  there  isn't 
a  single  decent-sized  house  in  the  place.     Oh, 
it's  small  I  it's  small  I" 

"It  certainly  might  be  larger." 
"I  know,"   continued  the  Senator,  with   a 
majestic  wave  of  his  hand — "I  know  that  I'm 
expected  to  (ind  this  hero  scene  very  impressive  ; 
but  I'll  be  hanged  if  I'm  sati-i  .  d.     Why.  in  tho 
'  name  of  Heaven,  w lun   tliey   give  us  pictures 
of  the  place,  can't  they  mako  things  of  the  right 
size  ?     Why,  I've  seen  a  hundred  pictures  of 
that  gate.     They  make  it  lii(>k  like  a  triumph- 
uit'aich  ;  and  now  that  I'm  here,  durn  me  if  I 
can't  touch  tho  top  of  it  when  1  stand  on  tip- 
too." 
I      In  all 
i  thing  tl    . 


Ik  the  Senator  found  only  ono 
cd  him.     This  was   llr,;   cele- 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  IT     .Y  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


br.ited  I'omjician  institution  of  a  shop  under  the 
ilwelling-houso. 

"  Whenever  I  sec  any  signs  of  nny  thing  like 
trade  nraong  these  ancients,"  said  lie,  "I  re- 
spect them.  AnJ  what  is  more  satisfactory 
than  to  SCO  a  bakc-shop  or  an  eating-saloon  in 
the  lower  story  of  a  palace  ?" 

Tlieir  walk  was  terminated  by  the  theatre  and 
nmpliitheatfc.  Tlie  sij^lit  of  these  were  more 
satisfactory  to  the  Senator. 

"  Didn't  those  fellows  comn  it  uncommon 
strong  tlio:i.;h  in  the  matter  of  shows?"  ho  ask- 
ed, witli  cdnsiderablo  enthusiasm.  "Iley? 
Why,  we  haven't  got  a  single  travelling  circus, 
menagerie  and  all,  that  could  come  anyway  near 
to  this.  After  all,  this  town  might  have  looked 
well  enough  when  it  was  all  bran-new  and 
painted  up.  It  might  have  looked  so  then ; 
but,  by  thunder!  it  looks  any  thing  but  that 
now.  Wliat  makes  mo  mad  is  to  see  every 
tr.iTeller  pretend  to  got  into  raptures  about  it 
now.  Riptuves  bo  hanged!  I  ask  you,  as  a 
sensible  man,  is  there  any  tiling  here  equal  to 
any  town  of  :!io  same  papulation  in  Massaclui- 
setts?'' 


'  Although  the  expectations  which  ha  had 
formed  were  not  quite  realized,  yet  Buttons 
found  much  to  excite  interest  after  tlie  first  dis- 
appointment had  passed  away.     Dick  excited 

:  the  Senator's  disgust  by  exhibiting  thoso  rapt- 

[  ures  which  the  latter  had  condemned. 

j  The  Doctor  went  by  the  Guide-book  altogeth- 
er, and  regulated  his  emotions  accordingly. 
Having   seen    the    various   places   enumerated 

i  there,  he  wished   no   more.     As  Buttons  and 

'  Dick  wished  to  stroll  further  among  the  liouses, 
the  other  three  waited  for  them  in  the.nraphi- 

I  theatre,  where  the  Senator  beguiled  tlie  time  by 

I  giving  liis  "  idee"  of  an  ancient  show. 

j  It  was  the  close  of  day  before  the  party  left. 
At  the  outer  barrier  an  official  politely  exam* 
ined  them.     The  result  of  the  examination  was 

'  tliat  tlie  jiarty  was  compelled  to  disgorge  a  num- 
ber of  highly  interesting  souvenirs,  consisting 
of  lava,  mosaic  stones,  ashes,  plaster,  marble 
drips,  pebbles,  bricks,  a  bronze  hinge,  a  piece 
*f  bone,  a  small  rag,  a  stick,  etc. 

The  official  apologized  witli  touching  polite- 
ness: ''It  was  only  a  form,"  he  said.  "Yet 
he  must  do  it.     For  look  you,  Si^'nori,"  and 


▲  8TBEET  I.N  rOJIPf.ll, 


40 


THE  DODGE  CLUB;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


hero  lio  slirup^  J  up  his  shoulders,  rolled  his 
eyes,  nnJ  pufteJ  out  his  lips  in  a  way  that  was 
possible  to  none  but  un  Italian,  "  were  it  not 
thus  the  entire  city  would  be  carried  away  ])iece- 
mcal !" 


CIIAI'TEU  xin. 

7zs^vTT•.^.— n-ONDEiiFrL  ascent  of  tiif:  cone.— 

WONDEKFCL  DESCENT  INTO  THE  CUATKIl. — AND 
MOST  yOXDEKFCL  DISAPPEAKANCE  OF  MK. 
FIGGS,  AFTEB  WHOM  ALL  UIS  FlllEXDS  RO,  WITU 
TUEIU  LIVES  IN  TIIEIIl  HANDS. —OKEAT  SENSA- 
TION AMONG  SPECTATOIIS. 

To  every  visitor  to  Naples  the  most  promi-  I 
tent  object  is  Vesuvius.     Tlie  huge  form  of  tho 
volcano  forever  stands  before  him.     The  long 
pennon  of  smoke  from  its  crater  forever  floats  . 
out  triumphantly  in  tho  air.     Not  in  tho  land-  i 
scape  only,  but   in   all  the  picture-shops.     In 
these  establishments  they  really  seem  to  deal  in 
nothing  but  prims  and  paintings  of  Vesuvius.    • 

It  was  a  1  )vely  morninR  wlien  a  carriage, 
filled  with  A  nericans,  drew  up  at  an  inn  near 
tlie  foot  of  the  mountain.  Tliero  were  guides 
without  number  waiting,  like  beasts  of  prey,  to 
fall  on  tliem  ;  and  all  the  horses  of  the  countr}- —  I 
a  wonderful  lot — an  amazing  lot — alcan,  cranky, 
raw-boned,  ill-fed,  wall-eyed,  ill-natured,  sneak- 
ing, un,'-.unly,  half-foundered,  half-starved  lot ; 
atilictcd  with  all  tlie  diseases  that  horse-flesh  is 
heir  to.  There  were  no  others,  so  but  little 
time  was  wasted.  All  were  on  an  equal  foot- 
ing. To  have  a  preference  was  out  of  tlie 
question,  so  they  amused  themselves  with  pick- 
ing out  the  ugliest. 

When  tho  horses  were  first  brought  out  Mr. 
Figgs  looked  uneasy,  and  made  some  mysteri- 
ous remarks  about  walking.  He  thought  such 
nags  were  an  imiwsition.  lie  vowed  tliey  could 
go  faster  on  foot.  On  foot !  The  others  scout- 
ed the  idea.  Absurd !  Perhaps  he  wasn't  used 
to  such  beasts.  Never  mind.  lie  mustn't  be 
proud.  ^Ir.  Figgs,  however,  seemed  to  have 
reasons  which  were  strictly  private,  and  an- 
nounced his  intention  of  walking.  But  the 
otliers  would  not  hear  of  such  a  thing.  They 
insisted.  Tliey  forced  him  to  m~'int.  This 
Mr.  Figgs  at  length  accomjilished,  though  he 
got  up  on  the  wrong  side,  and  nearly  pulled  his 
horse  over  backward  by  ]iulling  at  the  curb- 
rein,  shouting  all  the  time,  in  tones  of  agony, 
"Who-a;" 

At  longth  they  all  set  out,  and,  with  few  in- 
terruptions, arrived  at  a  place  half-way  up  the 
mountain  called  The  Hermitage.  Hero  they 
rested,  and  leaving  their  horses  behind,  walked 
on  over  a  barren  region  to  the  foot  of  tho  cone. 
All  around  was  tho  abomination  of  desolation. 
Craggy  rocks,  huge,  disjointed  masses  of  shat- 
tered iava-blocks,  cooled  off  into  the  most  gro- 
tesque shapes,  mixed  with  ashes,  scoriie,  and 
imuiicc'-jiUdit;:..  '1  iiO  cr^FiG  towcrca  ;rov»'r.;r.;;:y 
above  their  heads.  Looking  up,  the  aspect  was 
not  enticing.  A  steep  slope  ran  up  for  an  im- 
mense dijtancs  till  it  touched  tlio  smoky  canopy. 


On  one  side  it  was  covered  with  loose  sand,  'jit. 
in  other  places  it  was  all  overlaid  wiih  masses 
of  lava  fragments.  The  undertaking  seemed 
prodigious. 

Tlio  Senator  looked  up  with  a  weary  smile, 
but  did  not  falter ;  the  Doctor  thought  they 
would  not  be  able  to  get  up  to  tho  top,  and  pro- 
posed returning ;  the  others  declined ;  where- 
upon tho  Doctor  slowly  sauntered  back  to  tlie 
Hermitage.  Mr.  Figgs,  whom  the  ride  had 
considerably  sliaken,  expressgd  a  desire  to  as- 
cend, but  felt  doubtful  about  his  wind.  D!ik 
assured  liira  that  he  would  find  plenty  when  he 
got  to  tlie  top.  Tho  guides  also  came  to  jiis 
relief.  Did  he  want  to  go?  Behold  them. 
They  had  chairs  to  carry  him  up  or  straps  to 
pull  hira.  Their  straps  were  so  made  tliat  they 
could  envelop  the  traveller  and  allow  him  to  be 
pulled  comfortably  up.  So  Mr.  Figgs  grace- 
fully resigned  himself  to  the  guides,  who  in  a 
short  time  had  adjusted  their  straps,  and  led 
him  to  the  foot  of  the  cone. 

Now  for  the  ascen;. 

Buttons  went  first.  Like  a  young  chamois 
this  youth  bounded  up,  leaping  from  rock  to 
rock,  and  steering  in  a  straight  line  for  tho 
summit.  Next  the  Senator,  who  mounted  slow- 
ly and  perseveringly,  as  though  he  had  a  solemn 
duty  to  perform,  and  was  determined  to  do  it 
thoroughly.  Then  came  Dick,  More  fitful. 
A  few  steps  upward ;  then  a  rest ;  then  a  fresh 
start;  followed  by  anotlier  rest.  At  length  he 
sat  down  about  one-third  of  the  way  up  and 
took  a  smoke.     Behind  him  Mr.  Figgs  toiled 


Tui;  AocENT  or  vi;8trvii'3. 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


41 


op,  pulled  by  the  pantin;^  puides.  Throe  stout 
men  in  front — two  otheis  boosting  from  behind. 

A  Ii)ng  description  might  he  given  of  this  ro- 
mark.ihle  ascent.  How  Jlr.  Figgs  aggravated 
the  guides  almost  bcyou'l  endurance  by  niuro 
force  ui"  inertia.  Having  coinmitted  liimsclf  to 
them  he  did  it  thoroughly,  and  not  by  one  single 
act  of  exertion  did  he  lessen  their  labor.  They 
l)ulled,  puslied,  and  shouted ;  then  they  rested  ; 
thin  tliey  rose  again  to  pull,  to  push,  to  shont, 
nnd  to  rest  as  before  ;  then  they  implored  him 
in  the  most  moving  terms  to  do  something  to 
help  them,  to  put  one  foot  before  the  other,  to 
brace  himself  firmly — in  short,  to  do  any  thing. 

In  vain.  Mr.  Flg;5s  didn't  understand  a 
word.  Ilewas  unmovable.  Then  they  threat- 
ened to  drop  him  and  leave  him  hnlf-way.  The 
threat  was  disregarded.  Mr.  Figgs  sat  on  a 
stone  while  they  rested  and  smiled  bcnignnntly 
at  them.  At  last,  maddened  by  his  impassi- 
bility, they  screamed  at  him  nnd  at  one  an- 
other witli  furious  gesticulations,  and  then  tear- 
ing off  the  str.aps,  they  hurried  up  the  sIoih;, 
leaving  him  on  the  middle  of  the  mount  to  take 
care  of  himself. 

It  niig'it  ba  told  how  the  Senator  toiled  u;) 
slowly  bat  surely,  never  stoppin^;  till  he  had 
gained  the  summit ;  or  how  Buttons,  who  ar- 
rived there  first,  spent  the  time  in  exploring 
the  mysteries  of  this  c'evated  region;  or  how 
Dick  stoiiped  every  twenty  pices  to  rest  nnd 
s:ni)ke  ;  how  ho  consum .  1  much  time  an  1 
much  tobacco;  and  how  ho  did  not  gain  the 
summit  until  twenty  minutes  after  the  serene 
face  of  the  Senator  had  confronted  the  terrors 
of  the  crater. 

Before   tliese   three   there    was  a   wonderful 

scene.     Below  them  lay  the  steep  sides  of  the 

cone,  a  waste  of  hideous  ruin — 

*'  UiK'k3,  crnp*.  and  mounils  confusedly  hurled. 
The  fragniL'^  of  a  ruined  world." 

Before  them  was  the  crater,  a  vast  abyss,  the 
bottom  of  which  was  hidden  from  sight  by  dense 
clouds  of  sulphurous   smoka  which  forever  ns- 
ce  ided.     Far  away  on  the  other  side  rose  the 
opposite  wall  of  the  abyss — black,  rocky  clitfs  I 
that  rjso  precipitously   upward.     The  side  on  | 
which  they  stood  sIojhjJ  down  at  a  steep  angle 
f)r  a  few  hundred  feet,  and  then  went  nhrnptly 
downward.     A  mighty  wind  wa?  blowing  and  j 
carried  all  the  smoke  aw.ay  to  the  opposite  side 
of  the  crater,  so  that  by  getting  down  into  the 
shidtor  of  a  rock  they  were  quite  comfortable,     j 

Tlie  view  of  the  country  that  lay  beneath  was 
superb.     There   lay  Naples    with  its  suburbs, 
extending  for  miles  along  the  shore,  with  Tor-  i 
tici,   Castellamare,  and    the  vale  of  Sorrento. 
Tliero  rose  the  hills  of  Baia;,  the  rock  of  Iscliia, 
and  t!io  Isle   of  Capri.     There   hy  countless 
vineyards,  fields  forever  green,  groves  of  orange  | 
and  lig-trcos,   clusters  of  p..lms  nnd  cypresses.  ' 
>[ountain3    ascended    all    around,  with   manv  ' 


1. .,:~i,*,   ,.- 


lay  the  gloriou"  Bay  of  Naples,  the  typo  of  per- 
fect beauty.  Hundreds  of  white  sails  dotted 
the   intense  blue  of  its  surface.     Ships  were 


there  at  anchor,  and  in  full  sail.  Over  all  was 
a  sky  such  as  is  seen  only  in  Italy,  with  a  depth 
of  blue,  which,  when  seen  in  paintings,  seems 
to  the  inexpc  vienced  eye  like  an  exaggeration. 

The  guides  drew  their  attention  from  all  this 
,  beauty  to  a  solid  fact.     This  was  the  cooking 
I  of  an  egg  by  merely  burying  it  in  the  hot  sand 
for  a  few  minutes. 

Buttons  now  proposed  to  go  down  into  the 
crater.     The  guides  looked  aghast. 

"  Why  not  ?" 

"  Imi)ossible,  Signer.     It's  death.'' 

"  Death  ?  Nonsense  I  come  along  and  show 
us  the  way." 

•'  The  way  ?  There  is  no  way.  No  one 
ever  dares  to  go  down.  Where  can  we  go  to ? 
Do  you  not  see  that  beyond  that  point  where 
the  rock  projects  it  is  nll«  precipice  ?" 

"  That  ])oint  ?  Well,  that  is  tho  very  spot  I 
wish  to  go  to.     Come  along." 

"  Never,  Signor." 

"Then  I'll  go." 

"  Don't.  For  tho  sake  of  Heaven,  and  in  the 
name  of  the  most  Holy  Mother,  of  St.  Peter  in 
chains,  of  all  the  blessed  Apostles  and  Martyrs, 
the  glorious  Saints  and — " 

"  Blessed  Botheration, "cried Buttons,  abrupt- 
ly turning  his  back  and  preparing  to  descend. 

"Arc  you  in  earnest,  Buttons  ?"  asked  Dick. 
"  Are  you  really  going  dowo  ?" 

"Certainly." 

"  Oh,  then  I'll  go  too." 

Upon  this  the  others  warned,  rebuked,  throat- 
ened,  remonstrated,  and  begged.  In  vain.  The 
Senator  interposed  the  authority  of  years  and 
wisdom.  But  to  no  purpose.  With  much 
anxiety  he  sat  on  the  edgo  of  the  crater,  look- 
ing for  the  result  and  expecting  a  tragedy. 

Tho  slope  down  which  they  ventured  M'as 
covered  with  loose  sand.  At  each  step  the 
treacherous  soil  slid  beneatli  them.  It  wns  a 
mad  and  highly  neprchcnsiblo  undertaking. 
Nevertheless -down  they  went — further  and  fur- 
ther. The  kind  heart  of  the  Senator  felt  a  pang 
at  every  step.  His  voice  sounded  mournfully 
through  the  rolling  smoke  that  burst  through  a 
million  crevices,  and  at  times  hid  tho  advent- 
urers from  view.  But  down  they  went.  Some- 
times they  slid  fearfully.  Then  they  would 
wait  and  cautiously  look  around.  Sometimes  the 
vapors  covered  them  with  such  dense  folds  that 
they  had  to  cover  their  foces. 

"If  they  ain't  dashed  to  pieces  they'll  be  suf. 
focatod — sure!"  cried  tho  Senator,  starting  up, 
and  unable  to  control  his  feelings.  "  I  can't 
stand  this,"  he  muttered,  and  ho  too  stopped 
down. 

The  guides  looked  on  in  horror.  "Your 
blood  will  be  on  your  own  heads  ! "  they  cried. 

As  the  Senator  descended  the  smoke  entered 
his  eyes,  mouth,  and  novtrils,  making  him  cough 
and  sneeze  fearfully.  The  sand  slid  ;  tho  heut 
uiicicr  ttic  suriuCG  puinc.i  nts  icwt ;  ^ycry  step 
made  it  worse.  However,  he  kept  on  bravely. 
At  length  he  reached  tho  sjHJt  where  the  others 
wore  standing. 


43 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


*V.,i-^^ 


TnE  rr.soEST  or  vnscvius. 


At  the  foot  of  the  decMvify  was  an  angular 
rock  wliich  jutted  out  for  about  twelve  feet.  It 
was  about  six  feet  wide.  Its  sides  went  down 
precipitously.  The  Senator  walked  painfully 
to  where  thej'  were  standing.  It  was  a  fearful 
Fcenc.  All  around  arose  the  sides  of  the  crater, 
black  and  rocky,  perpendicular  on  all  sides,  ex- 
cept the  small  slope  down  which  they  had  just 
descended — a  vast  and  ploomy  circumference. 
But  the  most  terrific  sijjht  lay  beneath. 

The  sides  of  the  crater  went  sliecr  down  to  n  \ 
great  depth  enclosing  a  black  abyss  which  in  the  \ 
first  excitement  of  the  scene  the  startled  fancy  ! 
might  well  imapine  extending  to  the  bowels  of 
the  earth  from  which  there  came  rolling  up  vast 
clouds  dense  black  sulphurous  which  at  times  ' 
complt'tely  encircled  them  shutting  out  every 
thing  from  view  filling  eyes  nose  mouth  with 
fumes  of  brimstone  forcing  them  to  hold  the  j 
tails   of  their   coats  or  the  skirts  it's  all  the ! 
Bame  over  their  faces  so  as  not  to  bo  altogether  j 


blast  of  wind  driving  downward  would  hurl  the 
smoke  away  and  dashing  it  ajrainst  the  other 
side  of  the  crater  gather  it  up  in  dense  volumes 


of  blackest  sir.oke  in  thick  clouds  which  rolled 
up  the  flinty  cliffs  and  reaching  the  summit 
bounded  fiercely  out  into  the  sky  to  pass  on  and 
bo  seen  from  afar  as  that  dread  pennant  of  Ve- 
suvius which  is  the  sign  ond  symbol  of  its  mas- 
tery over  the  earth  around  it  and  the  inhabit- 
ants thereof  ever  changing  and  in  all  its  changes 
watched  with  awe  by  fearful  men  who  read  in 
those  changes  their  own  fate  now  taking  heart 
as  they  see  it  more  tenuous  in  its  consi.-tcncy 
anon  shuddering  as  they  see  it  gathering  in 
denser  folds  and  finally  awe-stricken  and  all 
overcome  ns  they  see  the  thick  black  cloud  riso 
]  "oudly  up  to  heaven  in  a  long  straight  col- 
\imn  at  whose  upper  termination  the  colossal 
pillar  spreads  itself  out  and  shows  to  the  start- 
led gaze  the  dread  symbol  of  the  cypress  tree 

the  herald  of  eurthquRkcs  eruptions  and 

There — I  flatter  myself  that  in  the  way 

of  description  it  would  not  be  easy  to  beat  the 
above.  I  just  throw  it  off  as  my  friend  Tit- 
niarftii,  poor  iciio",  gticc  Stiici,  z^j  ^nuv,*  v.'iiiii  x 
could  do  if  I  tried.  I  have  decided  not  to  put 
punctuation  marks  there,  bat  rather  to  let  each 
reader  sujiply  them  for  himself.     Tliey  are  oft- 


u^tcu  I   lliairtii 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OB,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


48 


ci»  in  the  way,  particularly  to  tho  writer,  when 
ho  has  to  stop  in  the  full  flow  of  a  description 
onJ  insert  them — 

But— 

'Wo  left  our  friends  down  in  tho  crater  of  Ve- 
suvius. Of  course  they  hurried  out  as  soon  as 
they  could,  and  mounting  tlie  treacherous  steep 
they  soon  regained  the  summit,  where  tlie  guides 
had  stood  hawling  piteously  all  tho  time. 

Then  came  the  descent.  It  was  not  over  the 
lava  blocks,  but  in  another  place,  which  was 
covered  with  loose  sliding  sand.  Away  they 
started. 

Buttons  ahead,  went  with  immense  strides 
down  tho  slope.  At  every  step  the  sliding  sand 
carried  him  about  ten  feet  further,  so  that  each 
step  was  equol  to  about  twenty  feet.  It  was 
like  flying.  But  it  was  attended  by  so  many 
falls  that  the  descent  of  Buttons  and  Dick  was 
n'^complished  as  much  by  sliding  and  rolling  as 
by  walking. 

Tho  Senator  wa«  more  cautious.  Having 
fallen  once  or  twice,  he  tried  to  correct  tliis 
tendency  by  walking  backward.  Whenever  ho 
found  himself  falling  he  would  let  iiimself  go, 
uiid  thus,  on  his  hands  and  knees,  would  lot 
himself  slide  for  a  considerable  disfance.  This 
plan  gave  him  immense  satisfaction. 

"  It's  quite  like  coasting,"  said  he,  after  he 
had  reached  tho  bottom;  "only  it  docs  come  a 
little  hard  on  the  trowsers." 


they  knew  that  tho  neighborhood  of  VeshWu* 
was  Tjot  always  the  safest  in  the  world,  they  all 
went  back  at  once  to  search  after  him. 

Arr; -ing  at  the  foot  of  the  cone  they  went 
everywhere  shouting  his  name.  There  was  no 
rcsjionse.  They  skirted  the  base  of  tho  cone. 
They  walked  up  to  where  he  had  been.  They 
saw  noti  g.  TI19  guides  who  had  thui  far 
been  with  them  now  said  they  had  to  go.  80 
they  received  their  pay  and  departed. 

"Of  nil  the  mean,  useless,  chicken-hearted 
dolts  that  ever  I  see,"  (aid  tlie  Senator,  "  they 
are  the  wust!" 

But  meanwhile  there  was  no  Figgs.  They 
began  to  feel  anxious.  At  last  Buttons,  who 
had  been  up  to  where  Mr.  Figgs  wag  left, 
thought  he  saw  traces  of  footsteps  in  the  sand 
that  was  nearest.  He  followed  tliese  for  some 
time,  and  at  last  shouted  to  the  others.  The 
others  went  to  where  he  was.  They  saw  an 
Italian  with  him — an  ill-looking,  low-browed 
rascal,  with  villain  stamped  on  every  feature. 

"  Tliis  fellow  says  he  saw  a  man  who  an- 
swers the  description  of  Figgs  go  over  in  that 
direction,"  said  Buttons,  pointing  toward  the  part 
of  the  mountain  which  is  furthest  from  the 
sea. 

"There?     What  for?" 

"I  don't  know." 

"  Is  there  any  danger?" 
I  think  so— Figgs  mty  have  had  to  go — 


On  their  arrival  at   tho  Hermitage  to  their  1  who  knows?' 
surprise  tliey  saw  nothing  of  Mr.  Figgs.     The  |      "Well,"  said  the  Senator,  "  we  must  go  after 
Doctor  had  been  sleeping  all  the  time,  but  the    him." 


landlord  said  he  h.id  not  been  that  wav.     As 


WIIF.BE'8  FIOGSf 


"What  arms  have  you?"  said  the  D.;  ir. 
'  Don't  show  it  before  this  rascal." 

"  I  have  a  bowie-knife,"  said  Buttons. 

"So  have  I,"  said  Dick. 

"  And  I,"  said  tho  Senator,  "  am  sorry  to  say 
tliat  I  have  nothing  at  all." 

"Well,  I  suppose  we  must  go,"  said  tho  Doc 
tor.  "  My  revolver  is  something.  It  is  a  dou- 
ble revolver,  of  peculiar  shape." 

Without  any  other  thonght  they  nt  once  pre- 
imred  to  venture  into  a  district  that  for  all  they 
knew  might  swarm  with  robbers.  They  had 
only  one  thought,  and  that  was  to  save  Figgs. 

"Can  this  man  le.nd  us?"  asked  Dick. 

"  He  says  he  can  take  us  along  whcro  he  saw 
Figgs  go,  and  perhaps  we  may  see  some  people 
who  can  tell  us  about  him." 

"I'crhaps  we  can,"  said  tho  Senator,  grimly. 
Tlicy  tnen  started  off  ^vith  the  Italian  at  their 
head.  Tho  sun  was  by  this  time  within  an 
hour's  distance  from  the  horizon,  and  they  had 
no  time  to  lose.  So  they  walked  rapidly.  Soon 
tliey  entered  among  hills  and  rocks"  of  lava, 
where  the  desolation  of  the  surrounding  coun- 
try began  to  be  modified  by  vegetation.  It  was 
quite  difiicuU  to  keep  their  reckoning,  so  as  to 
know  in  what  direction  they  were  going,  but 
they  kept  on  nevertheless. 

All  of  them  knew  that  the  errand  was  a  dan- 
gerous one.  All  of  them  knew  that  it  would 
be  better  if  they  were  armed.  But  no  one  said 
any  thing  of  the  kind.     In  fact,  they  felt  such 


44 


THE  DODGE  CI.UB ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


eonfidcnrc  in  tlicir  own  pluck  and  resolution 
that  they  hud  no  doubt  of  success. 

At  length  they  canio  to  a  jilace  where  trees 
were  on  each  side  of  the  rough  path.  At  nn 
o[>enin|;  here  three  men  stood.  Htittons  nt 
once  accosted  them  and  told  his  errand.  They 
looked  at  the  Amciieans  with  a  sinister  smile. 

"  Don't  be  afraid  of  us,"  said  Buttons,  quiet- 
ly. "  We're  armed  with  revolvers,  but  \vc  won't 
liurt  yon.  Just  show  us  where  our  friend  is, 
fur  we're  afraid  lie  has  lost  his  way." 

At  tliis  stran(;e  salutation  the  Italians  looked 
jHizzkd.  They  looked  at  their  guns,  and  then 
nt  the  Americans.  Two  or  three  other  men 
came  out  from  the  woods  at  the  same  time,  and 
sicod  in  their  rear.  At  length  as  many  as  ten 
men  stood  around  them. 

"  What  are  you  starinj;   at  ?"  said  Buttons 
apiin.       "You    needn't    look    so    frightened. 
'  Americans   only    use    their    revolvers    against 

i  tliieves." 

The  Doctor  at  this,  apparently  by  accident, 
took  out  his  revolver.  Standing  a  little  on  one 
side,  he  fired  nt  a  large  crow  on  the  top  of  a 
tree.  The  b'  -d  fell  dead.  He  then  fired  five 
other  shots  ^w^t  by  way  of  amusement,  laughing 
all  the  time  with  the  Sc.i.^.tcr. 

"  You  sec,"  said  he — "  ha,  ha — we're  in  a  fix 
— ha,  ha — and  I  want  to  show  them  what  a  re- 
volver is?'' 

"But  you're  wasting  all  your  shot." 

"Not  a  bit  of  it.     Sec!'' 

And  saying  this  he  drew  a  second  chamber 
from  his  pocket,  and  taking  the  first  out  of  the 
pistol  inserted  the  other.  He  then  fired  anoth- 
er sliot.  All  this  was  the  work  of  a  few  mo- 
ments. He  then  took  some  cartridges  and  filled 
<he  spare  chamber  once  more. 

The  Italians  looked  on  this  display  in  great 
nstonisliment,  exchanging  signiticiint  glances, 
particularly  when  the  Doctor  changed  the  cham- 
bers. Tlic  Americans,  on  the  contrary,  took 
pood  care  to  manifest  complete  inditl'erence. 
The  Italians  evidently  thought  they  were  all 
armed  like  the  Doctor.  Naturally  enougli,  too, 
for  if  not,  why  should  tljey  venture  here  and 
talk  so  loftily  to  them  ?  So  they  w"?re  puzzled, 
and  in  doubt.  After  a  time  one  who  apjieared 
to  be  their  leader  stepped  aside  with  two  or 
fliree  c*'th&  men,  and  talked  in  a  low  voice,  aft- 
".T  which  he  came  to  Buttons  and  said  : 

■'  Come,  then,  and  we  will  show  you."' 

"Goon." 

The  Captain  beckoned  to  his  men.  Six  of 
them  went  to  the  rear.  Buttons  saw  the  nin- 
ncenvrc,  and  burst  into  roars  of  laughter.  Tlic 
Italians  looked  more  puzzled  than  ever. 

"  Is  that  t(^  keep  ns  fiom  getting  away?''  he 
cried — "  ha,  ha,  ha,  ha,  ha!     Wi;ll,  well !" 

"He's  putting  a  guard  behind  us.  Laugh 
like  fury,  boys,"  said  Buttons,  in  English. 

Whereupon  they  all  roared,  the  tremendnns 
Uiighter  of  the  Senator  coming  in  witli  fearful 
effect. 

"  There's  nothing  to  laugh  nt,"  said  the  man 
who  appeared  to  bo  captain,  very  snlki'.; . 


I      "  It's  evident  that  you  Italians  don't  under, 
stand  late  imiirovcments,"  said  Buttoni.     '•  But 
'  come,  hurry  on." 

The  CajiUin  turned  and  walked  ahead  sullen- 
ly. 

I  "  It's  all  very  well  to  laugh,"  said  the  Dc  ctnr, 
in  a  cheerful  tone  ;  "  but  suppose  those  devils 
behind  us  shoot  us." 

i      ''I  think  if  they  intended  to  do  that  the  Cap- 
tain would  not  walk  in  front.     No,  they  want 
I  to  take  us  olive,  and  make  ns  pay  a  heavy  ran- 
som." 

j  After  this  the  Club  kept  up  an  incessant  chat- 
ter They  talked  over  their  situation,  but  could 
as  yet  decide  ujmn  nothing.  It  grew  (Uirk  at 
length.  The  sun  went  down.  The  usual  rapid 
twilight  came  on. 

^      "  Dick,"  said  the  Doctor,  "  when  it  pets  dark 
enough  I'll  give  yon  my  jiistol,  so  that  you  may 
show  off  with  it  as  if  it  were  yours." 
1      "All  rigb'   my  son,"  said  Dick. 

Shortly  aucr,  when  it  was  quite  ''..;rk,  the 
Doctor  slipped  the  pistol  into  t'-c  side-poeket  of 
Dick's  coat.  At  lent'th  a  light  appeared  before 
them.  It  wn"  :m  old  ruin  which  stood  upon  an 
cmincuce.  Where  they  were  not  a  soul  of 
them  could  teli.  Dick  declared  that  ho  smelt 
salt  water. 

The  light  which  they  saw  came  from  the 
broken  windows  of  a  dilapidated  hall  belonging 
to  the  building.  They  went  up  some  crumbling 
steps,  and  the  Captain  gave  a  peculiar  knock  at 
the  door.  A  woman  ojxined  it.  A  bright 
light  streamed  out.  Dick  poused  for  a  mo- 
ment, and  took  the  Doctor's  pistol  from  his 
IKickct.  He  held  it  up,  and  pretended  to  or- 
range  the  chamber.  Then  he  carelessly  jmt  it 
in  his  i>ocket  again. 

"  You  haven't  bound  them  ?"  said  the  woman 
who  opened  the  door  to  the  Captain. 
I      "  Meaning  us,  my  joy?"  said  Buttons,  in  Ital- 
ian.     "Not  just  yet,  I  believe,  and  not  fur  some 
time.     But  how  do  yon  all  do  ?" 
^      The  woman  stared  hard  at  Buttonfi,  and  then 
at  the  Captain.     There  w  ore  eight  or  ten  w  omen 
here.     It  was  a  large  hall,  the  roof  still  entivo, 
but  with  the  plaster  all  gone.      A  briglit  firo 
burned  at  one  end.     Torches  burned  around. 
,  On  a  stool  near  the  fire  was  a  familiar  form — 
a  portly,  well-fed  form — with  a  merry  face — a 
twinkle  in  his  eye — a  jiijie  in  his  mouth — calm- 
'  ly  smoking — ajiparently  quite  ai  home,  though 
,  his  feet  were  tied — in  short,  Mr.  Figgs  I 

"  Figgs,  my  boy!" 

One  universal  shout  and  the  Club  surrounded 
their  companion.  Tn  an  instant  Buttons  cut  his 
bonds. 

"  Bless  yon— bless  you,  my  children  !"  cried 
Figgs.  "But  how  the  (Principal  of  Evil)  did 
yon  get  here?  These  are  brigands.  I'vejuit 
been  calculating  how  heavy  a  bill  I  would  have 
to  font." 

The  brigands  saw  the  release  of  Figgs,  and 
stood  looking  gloomily  at  their  singular  prison- 
ers, not  quite  knowing  whether  they  were  pris- 
oners or  not,  not  knowing  what  to  do.     Each 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OB,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


memUT  of  tho  Club  took  the  most  coraforta- 
blo  seat  ho  could  find  r  ar  tlio  fire,  and  began 
talking  vehemently.  S  Jdenly  Buttoni.  jump- 
ed up. 

"A  tlionsanil  pnrilnnn — I  ronlly  forRot  th.it 
there  were  ladies  present.  Will  jou  not  sit 
here  and  n;ivo  us  tlie  honor  of  your  company  ?" 
He  made  a  profound  bow  and  looked  nt 
.•eveial  of  them.  They  looked  puzzled,  tlien 
ple.-\»od  ;  then  they  all  began  to  titter. 

"  Signer  makes  himself  verj-  mnch  at  liome,'' 
Bftid  one,  at  lenpth. 

"  And  where  could  there  bo  a  pleasr.nter 
place  ?  This  old  hall,  tliia  jolly  old  firo,  and 
this  delightful  company  !" 

Another  bow.  The  Captain  looked  very  snl- 
len  still.  He  was  evidently  in  deep  ijerplexitv. 
"  Come,  cheer  up  there!"  said  IJuttons.  "We 
won't  do  you  any  harm  ;  we  won't  even  com- 
plain to  the  authorities  that  we  found  our  friend 
here.  Cheer  up  !  Have  you  any  thing  to  cat, 
most  noblo  Cai)tain  ?" 
The  Captain  turned  away. 
Meanwhile  Figgs  had  told  the  story  of  his 
capture.  After  resting  for  a  while  on  the  slope 
he  prepared  to  descend,  but  seeing  sand  further 
away  ho  went  over  toward  it  and  descended 
there.  Finding  it  very  dangerous  or  difficult 
to  go  down  straight  he  made  the  descent  ob- 
liquely, so  that  when  he  reached  tho  foot  of  the 
cons  he  was  fir  away  from  the  point  at  which 
he  had  started  to  make  the  ascent.  Arriving 
there,  he  sat  down  to  rest  after  his  exertions. 
Some  men  came  toward  him,  but  he  did  not 


45 

think  much  about  it.  Suddenly,  before  he  knew 
what  was  up,  he  found  himself  a  prisoner.  Ho 
had  a  weary  march,  and  was  just  getting  com- 
fjrtable  as  they  came  in. 

As  they  sat  round  tho  firo  they  found  it  very 
comfortable.     L'ke  many  evenings  in  Italy,  it 

i  was  damp  and  quite  chilly.  They  lauglied'and 
talked,  and  appeared  to  Ixs  any  thing  but  cap- 
tives in  a  robber's  hold.     The  Captain  had  been 

'  out  for  some  time,  and  at  length  returned.  Ho 
wn«  now  very  cheerful.     Ho  came  lau-hingly 

!  up  to  the  fire. 

"Well,  SignoriAmericani,  what  do  you  think 
of  your  accommodation?" 

i  "  Delightful !  charming  !"  cried  Buttons  and 
Dick. 

I  "  If  the  ladies  would  only  deign  to  smile  on 
us — " 

I  "Aha!  Yonaroagreatmanfortlichidios!" 
said  the  Captain. 

"  Who  is  not?"  said  Buttons,  sentciitiously. 

After  a  few  pleasant  words  the  Cajitiiiii  left 
again. 

"  He  has  so;  le  scheme  ii.  his  villainous  head,'' 
.said  Buttons. 

"To  drug  US,"  said  tho  Doctor. 

"  To  send  for  others,"  said  Dick. 

"To  wait  till  we  sleep,  and  then  fall  on  us," 
said  Mr.  Figgs. 

"Well,  gentlemen,"  said  the  Senator,  draw- 
ing himself  up,  "  we're  more  than  a  match  for 
them.  Why,  what  are  these  brigands?  Is 
there  a  man  of  them  who  isn't  a  poor,  misera- 
ble, cowardly       s  ?     Not  one.     If  we  arc  capt- 


u 


46 


THE  DODGE  CLUB;  OU,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


Tint   LAI>I>.3. 


cup- 


tircJ  l)y  such  ns  thcso  wo  deserve   to  h 
lives  all  our  lives." 

"  If  we  don't  get  off  soon  we'll  have  a  good 
round  sum  to  pay,"  said  Mr.  Fi(»Es. 

"  And  that  I  object  to,"  said  IJuttons  ;  "  for 
I  promised  my  Governor  solemnly  that  I  wouldn't 
spend  more  than  a  certain  sum  in  Europe,  and 
I  won't." 

"For  my  part,''  said  the  Doctor,  "I  can't 
cfFord  it." 

"And  I  would  rather  use  the  amount  whicli 
they  would  ask  in  some  other  way,"  said  Dick. 

"That's  it,  boys!  You're  plucky.  Go  in! 
We'll  fix  their  fiints.  The  American  ea^le  is 
soaring,  gentlemen — let  him  ascend  to  the  ze- 
nith. Go  it !  But  mind  now — don't  he  too 
hasty.  Let's  wait  for  a  time  to  see  further  de- 
velopments." 

"Richard,  my  boy,  will  you  occupy  the  time 
liy  singing  a  hymn?"  continued  the  Senator. 
"  I  see  a  guitar  there." 

Dick  quietly  got  up,  took  the  guitar,  and, 
tuning  it,  began  to  sing.  The  brigands  were 
still  in  a  state  of  wonder.  The  women  looked 
shy.  Jlost  of  the  speofntors,  however,  were 
P'inning  at  the  eccentric  Americans.  Dick 
played  and  sang  a  great  quantity  of  songs,  all 
of  a  comic  character. 

The  Italians  were  fond  of  music,  of  course. 
Dick  had  a  good  voice.  Most  of  his  songs  had 
choruses,  and  the  wliole  Club  joined  in.  The 
Italians  admired  most  the  nigger  songs.  "  Oil, 
Susannah!"  was  greeted  with  great  apjilause. 
So  was  "  Doo-diih  ;''  and  the  Italians  themselves 
joined  energetically  in  the  chorus.  But  the 
song  that  they  loved  best  was  "  Ole  Virginny 
Shore."  This  they  called  for  over  and  over, 
and  as  they  had  quick  cars  they  readily  caught 
the  tune;  so  that,  finally,  when  Dick,  at  their 
earnest  rcfjiest,  sang  it  for  the  seventh  time, 
they  whistled  the  air  all  through,  and  joined  in 

in  at  the  midst  of  it,  and  listened  with  great  de-  j 
light.      After  Dick  had  laid  down  his  instru- 
ment he  approached  the  Americans.  i 


"  Well,  ole  hoss,"  said  the  Senator,  "won't 
you  take  an  arm-chair?" 

"What  is  it  ?"  said  the  Captain  to  Buttons. 

"  lie  wants  to  know  if  your  Excellency  will 
honor  him  by  sitting  near  him." 

The  Captain's  eye  sparkled.  Evidently  it 
met  his  wishes.  The  Americans  saw  his  de- 
light. 

"I  should  feel  honored  by  sitting  beside  the 
illustrious  stranger,"  said  ho.  "  It  was  what  I 
came  to  ask.  And  will  you  allow  the  rest  of 
these  noble  gentlemen  to  sit  here  and  partici- 
pate in  your  amusement  ?" 

"The  very  thing,"  said  Buttons,  "  which  we 
have  been  trying  to  get  them  to  do,  but  tTiey 
won't.  Now  we  are  ns  anxious  as  ever,  but 
still  more  anxious  for  the  ladies.'' 

"Oh,  the  ladies!''  said  the  Captain;  "they 
arc  timid." 

Saying  this  he  made  a  gesture,  and  five  of 
his  men  came  up.  The  whole  six  then  sat  with 
the  five  Americans.  The  Senator  insisted  that 
the  Captain  should  sit  by  his  side.  Y(t  it  was 
singular.  Each  one  of  the  men  still  kept  his 
gun.  No  notice  was  taken  of  this,  however. 
The  policy  of  the  Americans  was  to  go  in  for 
utter  jollity.     They  sat  thus  : 

The  Captain. 

The  Senator. 
Bandit  Number  1. 

Jlr.  Figgs. 
Bandit  Number  2. 

The  Doctor. 
Bandit  Number  3. 

Dick. 
Bandit  Number  4. 

Buttons. 
Bandit  Number  5. 

Five  members  of  the  Club.  Six  bandits.  In 
addition  to  these,  four  others  stood  armed   at 

i.*iC  UGOr.        i  liO  VtOuiCii  VVOi'c  at  ti  UiatuiH.'C. 

But  the  sequel  must  be  left  to  another  chap- 
ter. 


I 


THE   DODGE  CLUU  ;  OU,  ITALV  IN  MUCCLLIX. 


^  CUAITEU  XIV. 

MAONIFirENT  ATTITt'IlK  OF  THE  SENATOR  ;  nRII,- 

i.iANCY  OK  iii'ttonh;  a.m>  i'i.ick  ok  tub  urn- 

ER  MKMIIEKS  OK  THE  (LIB:    IIY  ALL  (>K    WUICH 
THE  GREATEST  EFrECTil  ARK  PRODUCED. 

"  Boys,"  laid  tho  Senator,  assiitnin);  a  gay 
tone,  "  it'fi  evident  these  roscala  have  jilunned 
tliiH  nrran^'Ciiicnt  to  attack  us ;  but  I've  ).'(it  a 
plan  liy  wliiitti  we  can  turn  tlio  talilei.  Nuw 
iauKh,  all  of  you."  A  roar  of  lau^jlitcr  arose. 
"  I'll  tell  it  in  a  minute.  Whenever  I  Hti)|i,  you 
all  langh,  so  that  they  may  not  think  that  we  are 
plotting:."  Another  roar  of  langhter.  "  But- 
tons, tnik  Italian  as  hard  as  you  can;  pre- 
tend to  translate  Avhot  I  am  saving ;  make  up 
something;  funny,   so   as    to   gL-t    ;'  lnugh- 

inc;  hut  take  good  caru  to  listcti  ..>  what  I 
8a  V." 

"  All  right,"  said  Buttons. 

"  I  la  I  ha!  ha!  ha!  ha!"  said  the  others. 

Now  the  .Senator  began  to  divulge  his  plan, 
and  Buttons  began  to  talk  Italian,  pretending  to 
translate  what  the  Senator  said.  To  do  this 
required  much  quickness,  and  a  vivid  imagina- 
tion, with  a  sense  of  the  ridiculous,  and  many 
other  qualities  too  numerous  to  mention.  For- 
tunately Buttons  had  all  tliese,  or  else  the  Club 
wonKl  not  have  octed  precisely  as  it  did  act; 
nnd  perhaps  it  might  not  h.ive  been  able  to 
move  along  in  the  capacity  of  a  Club  any  longer, 
in  which  case  it  would,  of  course,  have  had  no 
further  adventures;  and  then  this  history  would 
not  have  been  written ;  and  whether  the  world 
would  have  been  lictter  off  or  worse  ismorctlian 
I  can  say,  I'm  sure.  I 


[Wh«l  111*  Nrnatnr  Mill.] 
"  H<i)r«,  l<»>k  at  thB.iti  rli'V- 
ll/>,  ori«  <m  cwh  lldx  of  111. 
riiey  hnvii  trr>ngi«t  «i>m« 
Htf^itl,  niui  when  It  ti  given 
clii'7  wtllnprlnKXua.  I/u.k 
■  hiirp  fur  yiiiir  lira*,  and  ba 
rcaly  to  ilo  wh«t  I  my 
lluttiini,  llaten,  ktiil  wlmn 
yon  don't  hear  look  at  lue, 
and  I'll  ri'iX'iit  It." 

inn/)._"ll.l  h»l  bi! 
ha  I  Imt") 

"My  Mua  !•  to  turn  Iha 
tablffl  on  ttie)«  vitriulnia. 
They  put  thetuaelviM  to  our 
poin'r.  What  they  have 
arranged  fiirlhcmKelvoa  wUl 
do  for  u<  Jim  ai  well  aa  If 
we  plnnned  it  all.  la  fact, 
if  we  had  trlod  we  could  not 
have  adjunted  the  preaent 
compauy  better." 

[C/u'..-"IU!  ha  I  ha  I 
ha!  ha!"J 

**  Lli'ten  now,  Diittonfl. 
We  will  arrnnge  a  kIkiuI, 
and  at  a  certain  word  we 
will  fall  on  our  Deighbom 
anil  do  with  them  ad  they 
propose  doing  with  us.  iiut 
firxt  let  ufl  ari-angti  carefully 
ai'out  the  tii^nul;  for  every 
thing  depeadt  ou  that." 


rC"u').--"lUI  ha!  hal 
lial  hill") 

"  Kir(*t,  we  must  keep  up 
our  uproar  and  merriment 
to  a«  Krtat  ait  extent  art  we 
can,  but  not  vei-y  Innj;.  Ix't 
it  \t*i  Willi,  mud,  IviirtterouK, 
but  abort.  It  will  di-tiact 
thoi«o  vn^abondi',  and  throw 
them  off  their  uuiinl.  Tlie 
first  tiling  on  the  pro- 
urainrae,  then,  Is  merri- 
ment. I.ni)^'h  a^  loud  and 
long  ixi  you  can." 


[Wh«t  nuttJina  Hid  lie  yaij  i 
"  lie     «uy«,    niOfl     iMilde 

t'aptiiin,  antl  g^ntlemei., 
thiit  he  U  denperately  bun. 
gry;  that  he  eau't  gel  what 
lie  wanta  to  eat.  He  gen- 
erally eats  dried  makes,  aod 
tliu  jopply  he  broiii^ht  fr<jm 
the  tfrt-at  American  deaert 
U  exbauited ;  he  wanttf 
mi  re,  anl  will  have  it." 

Lsenaalioa  amoug  bftn- 
dlt.<.  ] 

"  lie  says  he  wouldn't 
have  coaiu  out  here  ti^-duv, 
but  liad  a  little  difficulty 
Just  before  lie  Joined  our 
party,  lie  was  iandtug 
front  the  American  ihip  of 
war,  and  on  stepping  oa 
shore  a  man  trod  on  his  foot, 
whereupon  he  put  him  Into 
tliu  water,  and  held  hlni 
there  till  he  was  drownt'd." 

r  Itandits  looking  more  1*0- 
■pectfully.  ] 

■°  It  make*  him  feci 
anuised,  he  says,  when  be 
thinks  bow  odd  that  guide 
looked  at  him  when  he 
made  hfm  go  down  inlo  tlio 
crater  of  X'esuvlus;  gave 
him  Ave  minutes  to  say  his 
prayers,  aod  then  lifi»l  him 
up  in  the  air  and  pitched 
him  down  to  the  bottom, 
lie  Iblnks  he  is  fnliing  slill." 

[Manditii  exchange  gluo- 
ces.  ] 

*'  He  doesn't  know  but 
what  he'll  have  a  little 
tmublo  aliout  a  priest  he 
killed  last  night.  He  waa 
In  u  church,  and  was  walk- 
ing about  whirttlinf?,  when 
a  priest  came  up  ninl  order* 
ed  him  out;  M-hi'rcupon  lie 
drew  his  revolver,  and  put 
all  six  of  tho  bullets  in  tlie 
prie^t's  licttd." 


1) 


THE    U.VNniTS  O.HTLUi:U. 


«3 


THE  DODGE  CLUB;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX 


[WiMi  llM  Imliir  mM.] 

l.kl  ha  I") 

"TIm  mil  thing  K  to 
hnr*  Mme  ilBglng,  'riwjr 
••  »in  t"  like  uur  ftorloua 
natt'iiul  •oogi.  (>lv«  Ihcm 
HoiiKt  of  th«m.  I^t  thM  flrvt 
<  na  IM  ■  Ulil  Vlrgtaoj.'  " 


bkl  bar] 


CWWt  BaitMu  —ki  IM  Kki  ] 
[  H*ndll>rRMi  Ibeniwlvc*, 
•nil  kiok  M-rioui.) 

-  lis  baud  th>l  the  nrimt 
wunotdaad.  A<lM>*l«*)'i 
nuikn  mm  work,  h«  InlsnUa 
to  l>H>k  In  In  the  murnlnii, 
«n,l  (f  he's  «Mr»,  hr'!!  v::t 
hia  throat,  and  luakx  all  hU 
attfO'lant*  lUnrn  totUatuua 
of -Old  Vlrgluny.'" 


Button*  had  to  work  on  that  word  "Old 
Virjfinny,"  for  the  quiik  oar»  of  the  Italians 
had  caught  it.     Bandits  cross  themstfvcs  agnin. 

Oi/itain. — "  1  don't  believe  a  word  of  it.  It's 
iinpossihie." 

tiandit  So.  6. — "  lie  looks  like  it,  any  wn>." 

In  fact,  the  Senator  did  look  like  it.  llig 
hair  tinged  to  an  unnatural  hue  by  the  sulphur 
of  Vesuvius,  his  wiiiaro,  determined  jaw,  his 
heavy,  overhanging  brow,  marked  him  as  one 
who  was  capable  of  any  devperato  enterprise. 


CWhat  tiM  Frnator  lalJ.] 
"NeTt  and  la»t.  Dirk, 
you  are  to  r\af  •  y«nk<^ 
thiodla.'  Yuu  knnw  the 
words  atMut  *  coming  to 
town  rt'linK  on  a  pony." 
Vol!  kniw  that  verao  imla 
»  Uli  an  Italian  word.  I  am 
particular  about  thin,  fur  you 
n.lght  «ing  the  wron^  verHf. 
l>o  yuii  tinderatanil,  all  of 
yo<i  ?  If  i«o,  wink  yuur  eyca 
twice.' 


[The  rinb  all  winktsd 
tniro.     'I  hpu, aa  iinial : 

"llul  ka!  hat  hat 
h-«:") 

"  I j>  k  at  me.  There  are 
"ix.  I  will  take  two;  each 
•  'I  you  take  one — the  man  on 
ymr  riniit,  remember.  Aa 
I  Ilk,  in  ain)ring,  cornea  to 
tliiit  word,  each  of  you  (;o 
at  your  man.  ituttona,  you 
l.enr,  of  coiuite.** 


lC'nh.-"JUi    bal   ha! 
lui:  bat"] 


"Boyi,  arranRi!  In  vonr 
minda  what  to  do.  Gmb 
the  gun,  and  put  your  man 
down  backward.  I'm  al- 
moet  aahamed  of  the  game, 
li'a  ao  eaay.  I»ok  at  theae 
bfloblea  by  me.  They  are 
like  children.  No  muaclp. 
The  fellowa  at  the  end  won't 
dare  to  ahoot  for  fear  of 
wonnding  their  own  men. 

C;ti6.-'llal  ba!  I.al 
ha!  hat"] 


(What  Bultona  ial>l  be  mU] 

"lie  faya  there  Li  no 
danger  for  blm,  however, 
for  f<if«iignera  are  In  terror 
"f  the  tune  of  'Vnnkee 
I)ftodle.'  If  be  were  arreat- 
e-l  by  the  fJoTemment,  the 
American  Admiral  would  at 
onre  aend  aahore  a  flie  of 
niaiinea  with  an  ■ultima. 
turn,'  a  'Coiumlbid,'  a 
'■piinker  boom,' a  '  Web- 
atfi'a  I'nabridKeil,'  and  a 
'  hrnchypHtalectic,'  to  de- 
nianii  iiia  aiirrendcr  at  the 
cunuon'a  mouth." 

[Orrat  aenaation  among 
the  bnndita  at  the  fonni  ta- 
ble arma  of  American  ma- 
rinea.) 

"  They  think  in  town  that 
he  ia  the  Uevii,  berauae  he 
baa  killed  aeven  men  in 
duela  aince  be  came,  and 
baa  never  been  wounded. 
People  don't  know  the  great 
Amcriran  Invention,  worn 
next  the  >kin,  which  makes 
the  body  Impervioua  to  bul- 1 
let*." 

ICitptaln,  aneerlDg. — "I 
don't  believe  It." 

Batuiit  \o.  3.—''  I  don't  ' 
know.     They  invented  the 
revolrer.      If  I  only  had  ' 
one:"]  I 

"  lle'a  made  up  his  mind 
to  go  and  take  part  In  the 
war  In  Ix>mbardy.     lie  will  ! 
ralae  a  band  of  Americana,  ; 
all  clothed  In  the  great  abot-  j 
proof  ahirt,  and  armeil  with  i 
rcvolvera     like    oura,  that  i 
ahnnt  twelve  tlmea,  and  have 
biilleta    like      bomh-abello,  ! 
that  buret  ini-Me  of  a  man 
and  bluw  lilm  to  piecca."       i 


Captain,  coldly.— "  That  crow  didn't  blow 
np." 

Buttons.—"  Oh  yes  it  did.  It  was  dark,  and 
yoa  didn't  notice.  Go  get  it  to-morrow,  exam- 
ine it,  and  you  will  find  traces  of  the  exploded 
shell." 

Bandit  No.  4.—"  Santa  Mari.i !  What  lies 
this  giant  tells  his  friends!  and  they  all  laugh. 
They  don't  believe  him." 


Bandit  \o.  I .— "  Well,  that  rcTolTcr  is  cnotiali 
for  mo  ;  and  they  all  Lave  them." 

The  abore  cunyenallon  waa  all  ranied  on 
very  rapidly,  and  did  not  Uke  up  much  time. 

At  once  the  Club  proceeded  to  carry  out  the 
Sruator's  plan.  Fii»t  ihey  Ulkcd  nonsense, 
and  roared  and  laughed,  and  perfected  their 
plan,  rnd  thus  p>is*cd about  ten  minutes.  Then 
Buttons  asked  the  Italians  if  they  wished  moro 
music. 

"Answer,  gallant  Captain  of  these  Kingi 
of  the  lload.  Will  you  hear  our  foreign 
songs  ?" 

"  .Most  gladly,"  said  the  gallant  Captain. 
"  There  will  yet  bo  time  before  we  get  our  sup- 
per.'" 

A  oinister  gleam  in  his  eyo  as  ho  said  this 
about  the  supper  did  not  esca(>e  the  notice  of 
Buttons.  Thereupon  he  handed  the  gui'rtr  to 
Dick,  and  the  latter  began  to  sing  once  more 
the  strains  of  "  Ole  Virginny."  The  Italiani 
showed  the  same  delight,  and  joined  in  a  roar- 
ing chorus.  Even  the  men  by  the  door  stood 
yelling  or  whistling  os  Dick  sang. 

I.rfistly,  Dick  struck  up  the  finol  song.  The 
hour  had  come ! 

"  Vankea  Poodle  came  to  town 
To  huy  himat'lf  a  pony. 
Stuck  a  feather  in  hia  hat 
And  called  It — Uacearuni ,'" 

■As  the  song  began  each  man  had  quietly 
broccd  himself  for  one  grand  effort.  At  the 
sound  of  the  last  word  the  effect  was  tremen- 
dous. 

The  Senator  threw  his  mighty  arms  round 
the  Captain  and  the  other  bandit.  They  were 
both  small  men,  as  indeed  Italians  are  general- 
ly, and  beside  his  colossal  frame  they  were  like 
boys  to  a  grown  man.  He  held  them  as  in  a 
vice,  and  grasping  their  bands,  twisted  them 
back  till  their  guns  fell  from  their  grasp.  A» 
he  hurled  the  affrighted  ruffians  to  the  floor, 
the  guns  crashed  on  the  stone  pavement,  one  of 
them  exploding  in  its  fall.  He  then  by  sheer 
strength  jerked  the  Captain  over  on  his  face-, 
and  threw  the  other  mon  on  him  face  down- 
ward. This  done  ho  sat  on  them,  and  turned 
to  sec  what  the  others  were  doing. 

Buttons  had  darted  at  No.  6  who  was  on  his 
rij-ht,  seized  his  gun  and  thrown  him  backward. 
He  WHS  holdini;  him  down  now  while  the  fellow 
was  roaring  for  help. 

Dick  had  done  a'^out  the  aame  thing,  but  had 
not  yet  obtained  possession  of  the  gun.  He 
was  holding  the  Doctor's  pistol  to  the  band'.t's 
head,  and  telling  him  in  choice  Italian  to  drop 
his  gun,  or  he  would  send  him  out.  of  the  world 
with  twelve  bullets. 

The  Doctor  was  all  right.  He  was  calmly 
seated  on  Bandit  No.  3,  with  one  hand  holding 
the  bandit's  gun  pointed  toward  the  door,  and 
the  other  grospi  ng  the  ruffian's  throat  in  a  death- 


did  not  move. 

Mr.  Figgs  had  not  been  fo  successful.     Being 
fat,  he  h;Ml  in  t  lucn  quirk  enough.     lie  was 


THE  DODGE  CLUD ;  OU,  ITALY  IH  MDCCCLIX. 


holding  th«  budit'i  gun,  and  aiming  blowt  at 
liii  face. 

"  Doctor,"  taid  the  S«n«tor,  "  your  man'i  all 
right.     Oire  it  to  FigK»»  man." 

The  Doctor  sprang  up,  seited  FiRj?»'»  man  by 
tho  throat,  jait  on  lio  iUgjjcred  bock,  and 
broii(tht  him  down. 

Tho  whole  thing  had  been  done  in  an  incred- 
il.ly  iliort  time.  Tho  rol,lK>ri  had  been  Uken 
by  complete  lurprisc.  In  strcnRth  they  were 
fur  inferior  to  their  a«sailarii!i.  Attacked  ai  they  ' 
were  so  unexpectedly  the  iucccm  of  the  Ameri- 1 
cam  wa»  not  very  wonderful.  The  uproar  wai 
tromendoui.  The  women  were  most  noisy. 
At  first  all  were  paralyzed.  Then  wild  shrieks 
rang  through  the  hall.  They  yelled,  they  shout- 
ed, they  wrnn(»  their  hands. 

The  four  bandits  at  the  end  of  tho  hall  stood 
f.ir  a  moment  horror-struck.  Then  they  raised 
their  guns.  Hut  they  dnrcd  not  Arc.  They 
might  shoot  their  own  men.  Suddenly  Dick, 
who  had  got  the  gun  which  he  wished,  looked 
nt  the  door,  and  seeing  tho  guns  levelled  he 
fired  the  revolver.  A  loud  scream  followed 
One  of  tho  men  fell.  Tho  women  rushed  to 
take  care  of  him.     The  other  three  ran  off. 

"Doctor,"  said  tho  Senator,  "have  you  a 
rope?     Tie  that  man's  hands  behind  him." 

Tlie  Doctor  took  his  handkerchief,  twisted  it, 
nnd  tied  tho  man's  hands  as  neatly  and  as  firml 
ly  as  though  they  were  in  handcuffs.  Ho  then 
went  to  Buttons,  got  a  handkerchief  from  him, 
nnd  tied  up  his  man  in  tho  same  way.  Then 
Dick's  man  was  bound.  At  that  moment  a 
bullet  lired  through  one  of  tho  windowj  r  axed 
tho  head  of  Mr.  Fi;.'gg. 

"Dick,"  said  the  Senator,  '«  go  out  and  keep 
guard."  '^ 

Dick  at  once  obeyed.  The  women  screamed 
and  ran  as  he  came  along. 

Then  the  two  men  whom  the  Senator  had 
captured  were  bound.  After  a  while  some 
pieces  of  rope  and  leather  straps  wore  found  by 
Buttons.  With  these  all  tho  bandits  were  sL 
cured  more  firmly.  The  men  whom  the  Sena- 
tor had  captured  were  almost  lifeless  from  tho 
tremendous  weight  of  bis  manly  form.  They 
made  their  captives  squat  down  in  one  corner, 
while  the  others  possessed  themselves  of  their 
gnns  and  watched  them.  The  wretches  look- 
ed frightened  out  of  their  wits.  Tliey  were 
Neapolitans  and  peasanu,  weak,  feeble,  nerve- 
less. 

"It's  nothing  to  boast  of,"  said  the  Senator, 
contemptuously,  as  he  looked  at  the  slight  fig. 
ures.  "They're  a  poor  lot— small,  no  muscle, 
no  spirit,  no  nothing." 

Tho  poor  wretches  now  began  to  whine  and 
cry. 

"  Oh,  Signore,"  they  cried,  appealing  to  But- 
ton*.    "  Spare  our  lives !" 

At    th.af.    tho    .»l.»1« J     .r    .      _ 

moaning  nnd  screaming. 

"Back!"  said  Buttons. 

'  Oli.Signori,  for  the  sake  of  Heaven  spare 
t..em.     Si)arc  our  husbands!" 


<9 

"  Back,  all  of  you  I  W«  won't  bnrt  any  one 
if  you  all  keep  quiet." 

The  women  went  sobbing  back  again.  The 
Doctor  then  went  to  look  at  the  wounded  man 
by  the  door.  The  fellow  was  trembling  and 
weeping.     All  Italians  weep  easily. 

The  Doctor  examined  bim  and  found  it  wax 
only  a  flesh  wound.  Tlio  women  wc-o  full  of 
gratitude  as  the  Doctor  bound  up  his  ar...  -fier 
probing  tho  wound,  and  lifle<i  the  man  on  a  rude 
couch.  From  time  to  time  Dick  would  look  in 
at  the  door  to  see  bow  things  were  going  on. 
The  field  was  won. 

"Well,"  said  the  Sonato'  "the  other  three 
have  probably  run  for  it.  They  may  bring 
others  hack.  At  any  rate  we  had  better  hurry 
off.  We  are  armed  now,  and  can  be  safe.  But 
what  ought  we  to  do  with  these  fellows  ?" 
"  Nothing,"  said  Buttons. 
"Nothing?" 

''  No.  They  probably  belong  to  tho  '  Camor- 
ra,"  a  sort  of  legalized  brigandage,  and  if  we 
had  them  all  put  in  prison  they  would  be  let  out 
the  next  day." 

"  Well,  I  must  say  I'd  rather  not     They're  a 
mean  lot,  but  I  don't  wish  them  any  harm. 
Suppose  wo  make  them  Uke  us  out  to  the  rood 
within  sight  of  the  city,  and  then  let  them  eo?" 
"  Well."  " 

The  others  all  agreed  to  this. 
"  We  had  better  start  at  once  then." 
"  For  my  part,"  said  Mr.  Figgs,  "I  think  we 
had  much  better  get  something  to  eat  before  we 
go." 

"  Pooh^     Wo  can  get  a  good  dinner  in  Na- 
ples.    We  may  have  tho  whole  country  around 
us  if  we  wait,  and  though  I  don't  care  for  mj- 
self,  yet  I  wouldn't  like  to  too  one  of  you  fall 
boys."  ' 

So  it  was  decided  to  go  at  once.  Ono  man 
still  was  senseless.  Ho  was  left  to  the  care  of 
tho  women  after  being  resuscitated  by  the  Doc- 
tor.  The  Captain  and  four  bandits  were  taken 
away. 

"Attend,"  said  Buttons,  sternly.  "You 
must  show  us  the  nearest  way  to  Naples.  If 
you  deceive  us  you  die.  If  you  show  iis  our 
way  we  may  perhaps  let  you  go." 

The  women  all  crowded  around  their  hus- 
bands, screaming  and  yelling.  In  vain  Buttons 
told  them  there  was  no  danger.  At  last  he 
said — 

"  You  come  along  too,  and  make  them  show 
us  the  way.     You  will  then  return  here  with 
them.     The  sooner  the  better.     Haste!" 
The  women  gladly  assented  to  this. 
Accordingly  they  all  started,  each  ono  of  tlio 
Americans  carrying  a   gun  in  ono  hand,  and 
holding  the  arm  of  a  bandit  with  the   other. 
Tho  women  went  nhcad  of  their  own  accord, 
eager  to  put  an  end  to  their  fears  by  getting  rid 
01  Bui:ii  liufigerous  guests.     Atter'  a  walk   of 
about  half  an  hour  tiicy  came  to  the  public  road 
which  ran  near  to  the  sea. 

"  I  thought  I  smelt  the  sea-air,"  said  Dick. 
They  had  gone  by  the  other  side  of  VesBvina. 


50 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OK,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX 


"  This  is  the  road  to  Naples,  Signori,"  said 
the  women. 

"  Ah  !  And  yon  won't  feci  safe  till  you  get 
the  men  away.  Very  well,  yo^  may  go.  We 
can  probably  take  care  of  onr8<..ves  now." 

The  women  poured  forth  a  torrent  of  thanks 
and  blessings.  The  men  were  then  allowed  to 
fjo,  and  instantly  vanished  into  the  diiikncss. 
At  first  it  was  quite  dark,  but  after  a  while  the 
moon  arose  and  they  walked  merrily  along, 
tliongh  very  hungry. 

Before  they  reached  their  hotel  it  was  about 
one  o'clock.  Buttons  and  Dick  stayed  there. 
As  they  were  all  sitting  over  the  repast  which 
they  forced  the  landlord  to  get  for  them,  Dick 
suddenly  struck  his  hand  on  the  table. 

"  goiJ  !"  he  cried. 

"What?" 

"They've  pot  our  hamlkerchiefs." 

"  Handkerchiefs  !"  cried  Mr.  Figps,  ruefully, 
"  why,  I  forgot  to  get  back  my  purse." 


"  Yoiir  purse  !  Well,  let's  go  out  to-mor- 
row— " 

"Pooh!  it's  no  matter.  There  were  only 
three  piastres  in  it.  I  keep  my  circular  bill  and 
lar^rer  money  elsewhere.'' 

"Well,  they've  made  something  out  of  us 
r.ftcr  all.  Three  jiinstrcs  and  five  handkor- 
chiefs." 

The  Senator  frowned.  "  I've  a  precious  pood 
riind  to  po  out  there  to-mnrrow  .ind  make  them 
disgorge,"  said  lie.     "  I'll  think  it  over." 


CII.M'TKU  XV 


DOt.OnCS  ONTE  MOKE. — A  I>I, i:\SV\T  rONVEIiSA- 
TION. — UlTTONS  I. EARNS  MOUK  CIF  HIS  YOLNO 
FIIIEM).— AFFECTINU  FA  HEW  EM,. 

As  the  Club  intended  to  leave  for  Unnie  al- 
most immediately,  the  two  yoiii.j  men  in  the 
Strado  di  San  HartoUo  were  prciiared  to  settle 
with  their  landlord. 

When  Buttons   and   Dick   packed    uj)  their 


modest  valises  there  was  a  general  excitement 
in  the  house ;  and  when  they  called  for  their 
little  bill  it  appeared,  and  the  whole  family 
along  with  i*.  The  landlord  presented  it  with 
a  neat  bow.  Behind  him  stood  his  wife.  On 
his  left  the  big  dragoon.  And  on  his  right 
Dolores. 

Such  was  the  position  which  the  enemy  took 
up. 

buttons  took  np  the  paper  and  glanced  at  it. 
"What  is  this?" 
"Your  bill." 
"My  bill?" 
"Yes,  Signore." 

"Yes,"  repeated  Dolores,  waving  her  little 
hand  at  Buttons. 

Something  menacing  appeared  in  the  atti- 
tude and  tone  of  Dolores.  Had  she  changed  ? 
Had  she  joined  the  enemy  ?  What  did  all  this 
mean  ? 

"  What  did  yoa  say  you  would  ask  for  this 
room  when  I  came  here  ?"  Buttons  at  length 
asked. 

"I  don't  recollect  naming  any  price,"  said 
the  landlord,  evasively. 
I      "I  rccullect,"  snid  Dolores,  decidedly,     "lie 
[  didn't  name  any  price  at  all." 
•       "  Good  Heavens !"  cried  Buttons,  aghast,  and 
totally  unprepared  for  this  on  the  part  of  Do- 
lores, though  nothing  on  the  part  of  the  land- 
I  lord  could  have  astonished  him.     In  the  brief 
space  of  three  weeks  that  worthy  had  been  in 
the  habit  of  telling  him  on  in  average  about 
four  hundred  and  seventy-seven  downright  lies 
per  day. 

"You  told  me,"  said  Buttons,  with  admira- 
ble calmness,  "that  it  would  be  two  piastres  a 
week."' 

"  Two  piastrt , !  Two  for  both  of  yon  !  Im- 
possilile  !  You  might  as  well  say  I  was  in- 
fsane." 

"  Two  piastres  I''  echoed  Dolores,  in  indig- 
nant tones — "only  think!    and  for   this  mag- 
nificent apartment !  the  best  in  the  house — ele- 
gantly fiiinished,  and  two  penilcmcn  !     Why, 
what  is  this  that  he  means  ?" 
"  Kt  tu  Brute  ;"  sighed  Buttons. 
"  Sipnnre  !"  said  Dolores. 
"Didn't  ho,  Dick?'' 

"  He  did,"  said  Dick;  "of  course  he  did." 
"Oh,  that  iiniiiiccii((i!n  will  say  any  thing," 
said  Dolores,  contemptuously  snapping  her  lin- 
gers in  Diek's  face. 

"  Why,  Sinogre.  Look  yon.  HowisitjHis- 
sihle?  Think  wliat  accommodations!  Gaze 
upon  that  bed  !  Gaze  upon  that  furniture  ! 
Contemplate  that  jirospcct  of  the  busy  street !" 
"  Why,  it's  the  most  wretched  room  in  town," 
cried  Buttons.  "  I've  been  ashamed  to  ask  my 
friends  here." 

'•Ah,  wretch!"  cried  Dolores,  with  flasliiiip 
CCS.  "  Voii  well  know  that  you  were  never 
(  ■  well  lodjied  at  home.  This  miserable  !  This 
a  room  to  be  ashamed  of!  Away,  American 
savage  !  And  your  friends,  who  arc  they  ?  Do 
you  lodge  with  the  lazaroni  ?" 


THE  DODGE  CLUBj  OB,  ITALY  I.V  MDCCCLIX. 


"  You  said  that  jou  would  charge  two  pi- 
r.strcs.  I  will  pay  no  more ;  no,  not  half  a 
carlino.  How  daro  you  send  me  a  bill  for 
eighteen  piastres?  I  will  pay  you  six  piastres 
for  the  three  weeks.  Your  bill  for  eichtecn  is 
a  cheat.     I  throw  it  away.     Behold  !" 

And  Buttons,  tearing  tlio  paper  into  twenty 
fi-agmcnrs,  scattercil  them  over  the  floor. 

"  Ah!"  cried  Dolores,  standing  before  liim, 
with  her  arms  folded,  and  her  face  all  aglow 
with  beautiful  anger;  "you  call  it  a  cheat,  do 
you  ?  You  would  like,  would  you  not,  to  run 
oiT  and  pay  nothing?  That  is  the  custom,  I 
suppose,  in  America.  But  you  can  not  do  that 
in  this  honest  country." 

"  Signore,  you  may  tear  up  fifty  bills,  but  you 
mus-t  pay,"  said  the  landlord,  politolv. 

"If  you  come  to  travel  you  should  bring 

money  enough  to  take  you  along,"  said  Dolores. 

"Then  I  would  not  have  to  take  lodgings 

fit  only  for  a  Sorrento  beggar,"  said  Buttons, 

somewhat  rudely. 

"They  arc  too  pood  for  an  American  beg- 
gar," rejoined  l>)lores,  taking  a  step  nearer  to 
him,  and  slapping^  her  little  hands  together  by 
way  of  emphasis 

"Is  this  the  maid,"  thought  Buttons,  "that 
hung  so  tenderly  on  my  arm  at  the  masquerade  ? 
the  sweet  girl  who  has  charmed  so  many  even- 
ings with  her  innocent  mirth  ?  Is  this  the  fair 
young  creature  who — " 

"  Are  you  going  to  pay,  or  do  yon  think  you 
can  keep  us  waiting  forever?"  cried  the  fair 
you*  r  creature,  impatiently  and  sharply. 

"  Xo  more  than  six  piastres,"  replied  Buttons. 
"  Be  reasonable,  Si;:norc.  Be  reasonable," 
said  the  landlord,  with  a  conciliatory  smile; 
"  and  above  all,  lie  calm— be  calm.  Let  us 
have  no  contention.  I  feel  that  these  honor- 
able American  gentlemen  have  no  wish  but  to 
net  justly,"  and  he  looked  benignantly  at  his 
family. 

"  I  wish  I  could  feel  the  same  about  these  I 
Italians,"  said  Buttons.  ' 

"  You  will  soon  feel  that  these  Italians  are  ' 
determined  to  have  their  due,"  said  Dolores.       ; 
"  They  shall  have  their  due  and  no  more."     ' 
"Come,  Buttons," said  Dick,  in  Italian,  "  let ' 
us  leave  this  old  rascal."  i 

"Old  rascal?"  hissed  Dolores,  rnshing  up' 
toward  Dick  as  though  ohe  would  tear  his  eyes 
out,  and  stamping  her  little  foot.  "Old  ras- 
cal!  Ah,  piccolo  Di-a-vo-lo!"  ! 
"Come,"  said  the  landlord;  "I  liave  nftec- 
tion  for  you.  I  wish  to  satisfy  vciu.  I  have 
always  tried.to  satisfy  and  please  you." 

"  The  ungrateful  ones !"  said  I)('lores.  "  Have 
we  not  all  been  as  friendly  to  them  as  we  never 
were  before  ?  And  now  they  trv  like  vipers  to 
sting  us." 

"  Peace,  Dolores,"  said  the  landlord,  majes- 
tically.     "  Let  us  all  be  verv  f!i":!;l!v       r.-.ij;= 
good  Anuirican  gentlemen,  let  us  have  peace! 
"  What  now  «i//yon  pay?" 

"  Stop !"  cried  Dolores.  "  Do  von  bnrgnin  ? 
Why,  they  will  try  and  make  you"  take  a  half- 


carline    for  the  whole   three    weekn.      I  am 
ashamed  of  you.     I  wiil'not  consent." 

"  How  much  will  you  give  ?"  said  the  land- 
lord, once  more,  without  heeding  his  daughter. 

"  Six  piastres,"  said  Buttons. 

"  Impossible ."' 

"When   I  came  here  I  took  good  caro  to 

have  it   underetood.      You  distinctly  said  two 

piastres  per  week.     You  may  find  it  very  con- 

:  venient  to  forget.     I  find  it  equally  convenient 

to  remember." 

I  "Try— trj-  hard,  and  perhops  you  will  re- 
i  member  that  we  oflcred  to  take  nothing.  Oh 
yes,  nothing— absolutely  nothing.  Couldn't 
;  think  of  it,"  said  Dolores,  with  a  multitude  of 
;  ridiculous  but  extremely  pretty  gestures,  that 
^  made  the  little  witch  charming  even  in  her  ras- 
|Cality.— "Oh  yes,  nothing  "—a  shrug  of  the 
shoulders— "  we  felt  so  honored  "—spreading 
out  her  hands  and  bowing. — "  A  great  Ameri- 
can !—o  noble  foreigner!"— folding  her  arms, 
and  strutting  up  and  down.—"  Too  much  hap- 
piness !"—i:.e  her  voice  assumed  a  tone  of  most 
absurd  sarcasm.— "  We  wanted  to  entertain 
them  all  the  rest  of  our  lives  for  nothing  '—a 
ridiculous  grimace— "or  perhaps  your  sweet 
conversation  has  been  sufficient  pay— ha  ?"  and 
she  pointed  her  little  rosy  uper  finger  at  But- 
tons  as  thoagh  she  would  transfix  him. 

Buttons  sighed.     "Dolores!"  said   he,  "I 

-1 .1        t  .  . 

3:t::v=  i;:uugr.t  i/OU  wcio  iiiy  frieuu.      I  uiuu'c 

think  that  you  would  turn  against  me." 

"Ah,  infamous  one  !  and  foolish  too  !     Did 

you  think  mat  I  could  ever  help  you  to  cheat 

my  poor  parents?     Was  this  the  reason  why 


r.3 


THE  DODGE  CLUB  j  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


you  souglit  me  7  Dishonest  one  !  I  am  only 
iin  innuccnt  girl,  but  I  can  understand  your  vil- 
lainy." 

"  I  think  you  understand  a  great  many 
thinps,"  said  Buttons,  mournfully. 

"And  to  think  that  one  would  seek  my 
friendship  to  save  his  money  !" 

Buttons  turned  away.  "  Suppose  I  stayed 
hero  tlireo  weeks  longer,  how  much  would  you 
chnrge  ?"  he  asked  the  landlord. 

That  worthy  opened  his  eyes.  His  face 
brightened. 

"  Three  weeks  longer  ?  Ah — I — Well — 
Perhaps— " 

"  Stop  I"  cried  Dolores,  placing  her  hand 
over  her  father's  mouth — "  not  a  word.  Don't 
\  uu  understand  ?  He  don't  want  to  stay  three 
minutes  longer.  He  wants  to  get  you  into  a 
new  bargain,  and  cheat  you." 

"Ah!"  said  tlie  landlord,  with  a  knowing 
wink.  "  But,  my  child,  you  arc  really  too 
liarsh.  Yon  must  not  mind  her,  gentlemen. 
Slie's  only  a  willful  young  girl — a  sjHjiled  child 
— a  spoiled  child." 

"Her  language  is  a  little  strong,"  said  But- 
tons, "  but  I  don't  mind  what  she  says." 

"  You  may  deceive  my  poor,  kind,  simple, 
Iionest,  unsuspecting  father,"  said  she,  "but 
yuu  can't  deceive  me." 

"  Probably  not." 

"  Buttons,  hadn't  wo  l)cttcr  go  ?"  said  Dli-k ; 
'•  squabbling  here  woi^t  benefit  us.'' 

"Well,"  said  Buttons,  slowly,  and  with  a 
lingering  look  at  Dolores. 

But  as  Dolores  saw  them  stoop  to  take  tlieir 
valises  she  sprang  to  the  door-way. 

"  They're  going !  They're  going !"  she  cried. 
"  And  they  will  rob  us.     Stop  thcin." 

"Signore,"  said  Buttons,  "here  are  six  pi- 
nstres.  I  leove  them  on  the  table.  You  will 
net  no  more.  If  you  give  me  any  trouble  I  will 
summon  you  before  the  police  for  conspiracy 
nsainst  a  traveller.  You  Cun't  cheat  me.  You 
need  not  try." 

So  saying,  he  quietly  placed  the  six  piastres 
en  the  table, and  advanced  toward  tlie  door. 

"  Signore!  Signore  !"  cried  the  landlord,  and 
ho  put  himself  in  his  way.  At  a  sign  from 
Diiiores  tlie  big  dragoon  came  also,  and  put 
himself  behind  her. 

"  You  shall  not  go,"  she  cried.  "  You  shall 
never  pass  through  this  door  till  you  pay." 

"  Who  is  going  to  stop  us  ?"  said  Buttons. 

"  My  father,  and  this  brave  soldier  who  is 
nrmed,"  said  Dolores,  in  a  voice  to  which  she 
tried  to  give  a  terrific  emphasis. 

"Then  I  beg  leave  to  say  this  much,"  snid 
Buttons  ;  and  he  looked  with  blazing  eyes  full 
in  the  face  of  the  "  brave  soldier.''  "  I  am  not 
n  'brave  soldier,'  and  I  am  not  armed;  but  my 
friend  and  I  have  paid  our  bills,  and  wo  are 
r:()ini»  lliroiiffh  thnt  door,  Tf  von  diiro  to  Ijiv 
SO  much  as  the  wcij^ht  of  your  finger  on  ino  I'll 
sl'.ow  you  how  a  man  can  use  his  lists." 

Now  the  Continentals  have  a  great  and  a 
wlmlcsome  dread  tf  the  English  fist,  and  con- 


'  aider  the  American  the  same  flesh  and  blood. 

j  They  believe  that  "  le  bogues  "  is  a  necessary 
part  of  the  education  of  the  whole  Anglo-Saxon 
race,  eyeful  parents  among  that  people  being 
intent  upon  three  things  for  their  children,  to 
wit : 

I      (1.)  To  eat  Eosbif  tnd  lii/lel;  but  especially 

,  the  former. 

j  (2.)  To  use  certain  profane  expressions,  by 
which  the  Continental  can  always  tell  the  An- 
glo-Saxon. 

I      (3.)  To  8TKIKE  FnoM  THE  8iiouini;n !  I  ! 

'      Consequently,    when    Buttons,  followed   by 

j  Dick,  advanced  to  the  door,  the  landlord  and 
the  "  brave  soldier  "  slij)pcd  aside,  and  actually 
allowed  them  to  pass. 

I      Not  so  Dolores. 

j       She  tried   to  hound  her  relatives  on  ;    slic 

j  stormed ;  she  taunted  them  ;  she  cullc<l  them 
cowards ;  she  even  went  so  far  as  to  run  after 
Buttons  and  soizo  his  valise.  Wherenpoti  lliat 
young  gentleman  patiently  waited  without  a 
word  fill  she  let  go  her  hold.  lie  then  went 
on  his  way. 

Arriving  nt  the  foot  of  the  stairway  he  look- 
ed back.  There  was  the  slender  form  of  the 
young  girl  quivering  with  rage. 

"  Aduio,  Dolores  !"  in  tlie  most  mournful  of 
voices. 

"Scelerato!"  was  the  response,  hissed  out 
from  the  prettiest  of  lips. 

The  ne.\t  morning  the  Dodge  Club  left  Na- 
ples. 


th:;  UE.VVE  ao.uiKa. 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


^ 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

SICK  RELATES  A  FAMILY  LEGEND, 

"  Dick,"  said  the  Senator,  as  they  rolle<l  over 
the  road,  "  spin  a  yarn  to  bc-guilo  the  time." 
Dick  looiced  modest. 
The  rest  added  tlieir  entreaties. 
"  Oh,  well,"  said  Dick,  "  since  you're  so  very 
iirscnt  it  would  bo  unbecoming  to  refuse.     A 
story  ?     Well,  what  ?     I  will  tell  you  about  my 
nmtcrnnl  grandftithcr. 

"My  maternal  grandfather,  then,  was  onco 
out  in  Ilong  Kong,  and  had  saved  up  a  little 
money.  As  the  climate  did  not  agree  with 
him  ho  thouglit  ho  would  come  home  ;  and  at 
length  an  American  ship  touched  there,  on  board 
of  wliich  he  went,  and  he  saw  a  man  in  tlie 
galley;  so  my  grandfather  stepped  up  to  him 
and  asked  him : 

'•  'Are  you  the  mate?' 
"'No.     I'm  the  man  that  boils  the  mate,' 
Mid  the  other,  who  was  also  an  Irishman. 

"  So  ho  had  to  go  to  tho  cubin,  where  ho 
found  tho  captain  and  mate  writing  out  clear- 
ance papers  for  tho  custom-house. 

"  '  Say,  captain,  will  you  cross  the  soa  to 
plow  tiie  railing  main  ?'  asked  my  grandfather. 

"  '  Oh,  the  ship  it  is  ready  and  the  wind  is 
fair  to  ])low  tho  raging  main  !'  said  the  captain. 
Of  course  my  grandfather  at  onco  paid  his  faro 
without  asking  crodit,  and  the  anioimt  was  three 
hundred  and  twenty-seven  dollars  thlrty-nine 
cents. 

"Well,  they  set  sail,  and  after  goin;;  ever 
so  many  thousand  miles,  or  hundred— I  forget 
which,  but  it  don't  matter— a  great  storm  arose, 
a  typlioon  or  simoon,  perhaps  both ;  and  after 
slowly  gathering  up  its  energies  for  the  space 
of  twenty-nino  days,  seven  hours,  and  twenty- 
three  minutes,  without  counting  tho  seconds,  it 
burst  upon  them  at  exactly  forty-two  minutes 
past  five,  on  tho  sixth  day  of  tho  week.  Need 
I  say  that  day  was  Friday  ?  Now  my  grand- 
father saw  all  the  time  how  it  was  going  to  end  ; 
and  while  the  rest  were  praying  and  shrieking 
ho  had  cut  the  lashings  of  tho  ship's  long-boat 
and  stayed  there  all  tho  time,  having  put  on 
t  board  the  nautical  instruments,  two  or  three 
fish-hooks,  a  gross  of  lucifer  matches,  and  a 
sauce-pan.  At  last  the  storm  struck  tlie  ship, 
as  I  have  stated,  and  at  the  first  crack  away 
went  tho  vesst-l  to  tho  bottom,  leaving  my  grand- 
father floating  alono  on  tho  surface'  of  tho 
ocean. 

"  My  grandf.ither  navigated  tlio  long-boat 
Cfty-two  days,  three  hours,  and  tnenty  minutes 
by  the  ship's  chronometer;  caught  plenty  of 
fish  with  his  fish-hooks;  boiled  sea-water  in  his 
sauce-pan,  and  boiled  all  tho  salt  away,  making 
hit  fire  in  tho  bottom  of  the  boat,  which  is  a 
very  good  place,  for  the  fire  can't  burn  through 
•.vi;rnn,t  ioutiiiuj;  iiio  water,  wiiich  it  can  t  bum  ; 
and  finding  plenty  of  fuel  in  tho  boat,  which  ho 
gradually  dismantled,  toking  first  tho  thole-pins, 
then  the  seats,  then  tho  taffrail,  and  so  on.  This 
sort  of  thing,  tliough,  could  not  last  forever,  and 


r.3 

at  lost,  just  in  the  nick  of  lime,  he  camo  across 
a  dead  whale. 

"It  was  floating  bottom  npward,  covered 
with  barnacles  of  very  largo  size  indeed  ;  and 
where  his  fins  projected  there  were  two  little 
coves,  ono  on  each  side.  Into  the  one  on  the 
lee-side  he  ran  his  boat,  of  whiih  there  was 
nothing  left  but  the  stem  and  stern  and  two 
side  planks. 

"My  grandfather  looked  upon  the  whale  as 
an  island.  It  wag  a  very  nice  country  to  one 
who  had  been  so  long  in  a  boat,  though  a  little 
monotonous.  The  first  thing  that  he  did  was 
to  erect  tho  banner  of  his  country,  of  which  he 
hapjicned  to  have  a  copy  on  his  pocket-hand- 
kerchief; which  ho  did  by  putting  it  at  tho  end 
of  an  oar  and  sticking  it  in  the  ground,  or  tho 
flesh,  whichever  yon  please  to  call  it.  He  then 
took  an  observation,  and  proceeded  to  make 
himself  a  house,  which  he  did  by  whittling  up 
tho  remains  of  tho  long-boat,  and  had  enough 
left  to  make  a  table,  a  chair,  and  a  boot-jack. 
So  here  he  stayed,  quite  comfortable,  for  forty- 
three  days  and  a  half,  taking  oliservations  all 
the  time  with  great  accuracy;  and  at  tho  end 
of  that  time  all  his  house  was  gone,  for  ho  had 
to  cut  it  up  for  fuel  to  cook  his  meals,  and  noth- 
ing was  left  but  half  of  the  Imot-jack  and  the 
our  which  served  to  ujiliold  the  banner  of  i.U 
country.     At  the  end  of  this  time  a  shij>  camo 

UJ). 

"  The  men  of  the  ship  did  not  know  what  on 
earth  to  make  of  this  ap|icaninco  on  the  water, 
where  the  American  flag  was  flying.  So  thev 
bore  straight  down  toward  it. 

"  '  I  see  a  sight  across  the  sea,  hi  ho  checrlv 
men !'  remarked  tho  captain  to  tho  mate,  in  a 
confidential  manner. 

"'Methinks  it  is  my  own  countrie,  hi  ho 
cheerly  men!'  rejoined  the  other,  quietly. 

"  '  It  rises  grandly  o'er  the  brine,  hi  ho  cheer- 
ly  men  '.'  said  the  captain. 

"'And  boars  aloft  our  own  ensign,  hi  ho 
checrly  men  !'  said  the  mate. 

"  As  the  shipeamc  iip  my  grandfather  placed 
both  bands  to  his  mouth  in  the  shape  of  a  speak- 
ing-trumpet,  and  cried  out:  '  Ship  ahoy  across 
the  wave,  with  a  way-rxy-ay-ay-ay !  "  Storm 
along  I' 

"To  which  the  captain  of  tho  ship  respond- 
ed through  his  trumpet:  'Tis  I,  my  messmate 
bold  and  brave,  w  ith  u  way-ay-ay-ay-ay !  Storm 
along.'' 

"At  this  my  grandfather  inquired:  'What 
(Vessel  .are  you  gliding  on  ?  I'ray  tell  to  me  iis 
name' 

"  And  tho  captain  replied  :  '  Our  bark  it  is  a 
whaler  bnki,  and  .Jones  the  captain's  name.' 

"Tlioreiipon  the  captain  came  on  board  tho 
whale,  or  on  shore,  whichever  you  like— I  don't 
know  which,  nor  does  it  matter— !i<<  came,  at 
any  rate.  .My  grandfather  shook  hands  with 
him  and  asked  him  to  sit  down.  Bat  the  cap- 
tain .lerlined,  saying  he  preferred  standing 

"  •  Well,'  said  my  grandfather,  '  I  called  on 
you  to  see  if  you  would  like  to  buv  a  whale.' 


M 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCi^IX. 


I 


UDVIMa   A.  WUALE. 


give  ? 
take  ?' 
Kive  ?' 
take  ?• 


"  Wn'al,  yes,  I  don't  iiiinJ.     Tm  in  tliat  line 
myself.' 
'" ' ^Vhat'^  yon  give  for  it?' 
"  '  What'll  you  take  for  it  ?' 
'"  Wliat'll  you  give  ?' 
"' Whafll  you  take  ?• 
'"  What'll  you  give  ?' 
'"  What'll  you  take  ?' 
fgive?' 

•"WhafUyon"l'^°!; 
^       J  give?' 

(  take  ?' 

"  T\vcnt;--five  minutes  were  taken  up  in  the 
repetition  of  this  question,  for  neither  wished  to 
commit  himsc'f. 

"  '  Have  yoi  had  any  offers  for  it  yet  ?'  asked 
Captain  Jones  tt  last. 

"  '  Wa'al,  no ;  can't  say  that  I  have.' 

"  '  I'll  give  as  much  as  any  body.' 

•'  '  How  much?' 

'"What'll  you  take?' 

'"  What'll  you  give  ?• 

'"What'll  you  take?' 

'"What'll  you  give?' 

'"  What'll  you  take  ?• 


give .' 


pvc 


■>' 


'What'll  J 


tJike?'         take?' 

give  ?'         give  ?' 

take?'  take?' 
"Then  my  grandfather,  after  a  long  dcllh- 
eration,  took  the  captain  by  tlie  arm  and  led 
!:-'t:  :r:i  a:v;;::*j,  s::u":::^  i;;.»*  i;.  CGiiriti »",  r»r> 
one  may  say,  enlarging  upon  the  fine  puints, 
and  doing  as  all  good  traders  are  bound  to  do 
'vhen  they  find  themselves  face  to  face  with  a 
customer. 


"To  whiidi  the  end  wag  ; 
"  '  Wa'al,  wliat'll  vou  take  ?' 
"  '  What'll  you  give  ?' 

I  give  ?'        give  ? ' 

•"What'll  vou  J  ♦I''*?:  '^^'^i: 

give  ?'  give  ?' 
[take?'  take?' 
"  '  Well,"  said  my  grandfather,  '  I  don't  know 
as  I  care  about  trading  after  all.  I  think  I'll 
wait  till  the  whaling  fleet  comes  along.  I've 
been  waiting  for  them  for  some  time,  and  they 
ought  to  be  here  soon.' 

"  'You're  not  in  the  right  track,'  said  Cap- 
tain  Jones. 
"  '  Yes,  I  am.' 

"  '  Kxcnse  me.' 

"  '  Kx-ciise   me,'  said  my  grandfatlier.     'I 
took  an  observation  just  before  you  came  in  • 
sight,  and  I  am  in  lat.  47°  22'  20 ',  long.  150^ 
15'5r>".' 

"Captain  Jones's  face  fell.  5Iy  gmnilfathcr 
jiokcd  him  in  the  ribs  and  smiled. 

" '  I'll  tell  you  what  I'll  do,  ns  I  don't  care, 
after  all,  about  waiting  here.  It's  a  little  damp, 
and  I'm  subject  to  rheumatics.  I'll  let  you  have 
the  wliolo  thing  if  you  give  me  twenty-five  per 
cent,  of  the  oil  after  it's  barrpled,  barrels  and  all.' 

"The  captain  thi>Uf;bl  for  a  moment. 

"  'You  drive  a  close  bargain.' 

"'Ofcourec.' 

"  '  Well,  it'll  save 'a  voyage,  and  that's  some- 

' '  '  Something !  Bless  your  heart !  ain't  that 
every  thing?" 

"'Well.  I'll  agree.  Como  on  board,  and 
we'll  make  out  the  piijiers.' 


THE  DODGE  CLUB  ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


65 


"  So  my  granilfatlicr  went  on  board,  and  they 
made  out  the  papers ;  and  the  ship  hauled  up 
alongside  of  the  whale,  and  they  went  to  work 
rutting,  and  slashing,  and  hoisting,  and  hurn- 
ing,  and  boiling,  and  at  last,  after  ever  so  long  a 
time  —  1  don't  remember  exactly  how  long  — 
the  oil  was  all  secured,  and  my  grandfather,  in 
a  few  months  afterward,  when  ho  landed  at 
Nantucket  and  made  inquiries,  sold  his  share 
of  the  oil  fur  three  thousand  nine  hundred  and 
fifty-six  dollars  fifty-six  cents,  wliich  he  at  once 
invested  in  business  in  New  Uedford,  and  start- 
ed off  to  Pennsylvania  to  visit  his  mother.  The 
old  lady  didn't  know  him  at  all,  he  was  so 
changed  by  sun,  wind,  storm,  hardship,  sickness, 
fatigue,  want,  exposure,  and  other  thir-^  of 
that  kind.     She  looked  coldly  on  him. 

"  'Who  are  you?' 

"  '  Don't  you  know  ?' 

"  '  No.' 

"'Think.' 

"  '  Hare  you  a  strawberry  on  your  arm  V 

"'No.' 

"  '  Then — you  nre — yo\i  are — you  ake — my 
own — my  long-lost  son  I' 


TUB  LOaO-LOST  Bos, 


"  And  she  caught  him  in  her  arms. 

"  Here  endeth  the  first  part  of  my  pnindf.(- 
ther's  adventures,  but  he  had  many  nioro,  good 
and  bad  ;  for  he  was  a  remarkable  man,  tliough 
I  say  it ;  and  if  any  of  you  ever  want  to  hear 
more  about  him,  which  I  doubt,  all  you've  gut 
to  do  is  to  say  so.  But  perhaps  it's  just  as  well 
to  let  t!ic  old  gentleman  drop,  for  his  advent- 
ures were  rather  strange ;  but  the  narration 
of  them  is  not  very  profitable,  not  that  I  go  in 
fur  the  utilitarian  theory  of  conversation  ;  but  I 
think,  on  the  whole,  that,  in  story-telling,  fic- 
tion should  be  preferred  to  dull  facts  like  these, 
and  so  tue  next  time  I  tell  a  stor)- 1  will  make 
one  up." 

The  Club  had  listened  to  the  story  with  the 
gravity  'vhich  should  bo  manifested  toward  one 
who  is  relating  family  matters.  At  its  close  the 
Senatorpreiaredto  speak.  He  cleared  his  throat: 

"Ahem!  Gentlemen  of  the  Club  !  our  ad- 
ventures, thus  far,  have  not  been  altogether 
contemptible.  We  have  a  President  and  ji  Sec- 
retary ;  ought  we  not  also  to  have  u  Recording 
Secretary — a  Historian?" 

"Ay  !"  said  all,  very  eomestly. 

"Who,  then,  shall  it  be?" 

All  looked  at  Dick. 

"I  see  there  is  but  one  feeling  among  us 
all,"  said  the  Senator.  "Yes,  Richard,  you 
are  the  man.  Your  gift  of  language,  your  fancy, 
your  modesty,  your  fluency —  But  I  spare  yon. 
Prom  this  time  forth  you  know  your  duty." 

Overcome  by  this  honor,  Dick  was  compelled 
to  bow  hio  thanks  in  silence  and  hide  his  blush- 
ing face. 

"  And  now,"  said  Mr.  Figg8,eag3rly,  "Iwant 
to  hear  the  Iliggins  Story  .'" 

The  Doctor  turned  frightfully  pale.  Dick 
began  to  fill  his  jiipe.  The  Senator  looked 
earnestly  out  of  the  window.  Buttons  looked 
at  the  ceiling. 

"What's  the  matter?"  said  Mr.  Figgs. 

"What  ?"  asked  Buttons. 

"The  Iliggins  Story?" 

The  Doctor  started  to  his  feet.  Ilis  excite- 
mciU..was  wonderful.     He  clenched  his  fist. 

"  I'll  quit  I  I'm  going  bark.  I'll  jiiin  j'on 
at  Rome  by  another  route.     I'll — '' 

"  No,  you  won't!"  said  Buttons  ;  "  for  on  a 
journey  like  this  it  would  be  absurd  to  begin 
the  Iliggins  Stori-." 

"Pooh!"  saidDick,  "it  would  require  nine- 
teen davs  at  least  to  get  through  ilie  introducto- 
ry jinrt." 

"When,  then,  can  I  bear  it?"  asked  Mr. 
Piggs,  in  perplexity. 


M 


THE  DOLGE  CLUB;  OK,  ITALY  IN  MLCCCLIX. 


CIIAFrER  XVII. 


HIOHT  OS  THE  UOAD.— THE  CLUB  AgLEKP.— TDET 
ENTER  ROME.  —  TKOC0HT8  ON  APPROACHING 
AMD  ENTEKINO  "  THE  ETEHKAL  CITY." 


LETTER    BT     DICK,    AST)    CIIITICISMS    OP 
PIUEND9. 


nis 


TiiF.Y  took  lodgings  near  the  Piazzrx  di  Spnc- 
na.  This  is  the  best  jmrt  of  Komo  to  live  in, 
which  every  traveller  will  acknoHled;.'e.  Among 
other  advantages,  it  is  peihajis  tlic  only  dean 
spot  in  the  Capital  of  Christendom. 

Their  lodgings  were  peculiar.  Desoription  is 
quite  unnecessary.  They  were  not  discovered 
wiihoiit  toil,  and  not  secured  witliout  warfare. 
Once  in  possession  they  had  no  reason  to  com- 
plain. True,  the  conveniences  of  civilized  life 
do  not  exist  there — but  who  dreams  of  conven- 
ience in  Home  ? 

On  the  evening  of  their  arrival  tliey  were  sit- 
ting in  the  Senator's  room,  which  was  used  as 
tlic  general  rendezvous.  Dick  was  diligently 
writing. 

"Dick,"  said  the  Scn.-itor,  "what  are  vou 
abont?'' 

"  Well,"  s.iid  Dick,  "the  fact  is.  I  just  hap- 
pened  to  remeniher  th^.t  \!:Urr.  T  '.^f?  !-..-vn--i  t'.-,.-. 
editor  t)f  the  village  paper  wished  me  to  write 
occasionally.  I  promised,  and  lie  at  once  pub- 
lished the  fact  in  enormous  capitals.  I  never 
thought  of  it  till  tliii  e\Lning,  \vl,.:ii  I  happened 


to  find  a  scrap  of  the  last  issne  of  liis  paper  in 
my  valise.  I  recollected  my  promise,  and  I 
thought  I  miglit  as  well  drop  a  line." 

"  Head  what  you  have  written."  . 

Ditk  blushed  and  hesitated. 

"  Nonsense  I  Go  ahead,  my  boy !"  said  Cut- 
tons. 

Whereupon  Dick  cleared  his  throat  and  Ic- 
gan: 

ti  u.  T^  .,  .  "nnm.  May  SO,  isru. 

-Mn.  EniTOB.— Rome  is  a  mbjeot  whicl>  ia  ueilhir  un- 
mtercsiijg  nor  alien  to  llic  pnscnt  age." 

"That's  a  fact,  or  you  wouldn't  be  here  writ- 
ing  it,"  remarked  Buttons. 

I  "In  looking  over  the  pant,  our  view  In  too  often  bound, 
ed  by  the  Middle  Ako.-.  Wb  consider  lh«t  iKriod  an  tlju 
chaos  of  tlic  modern  woild,  when  it  lay  covered  wiib 
n.i   ?"•*'  """'  "'*  ""'"'■"'  """"  '""'  ""'Ji  ' Let  there  bj 

"  Hang  it,  Dick !  be  original  or  be  nothing." 

"  Yet,  if  the  life  of  the  world  began  anywlirre,  It  was 
In  Horiie.  Astyiia  ia  noUiing  tome,  tgj  ui  la  but  a  f  pi  c- 
tacle  I" 

"  If  you  only  had  enough  funds  to  carry  you 

there  you'd  change  your  tune.     But  go  on." 

"  Cut  Rome  arifea  liefore  me  a«  the  parent  of  the  Inlti  r 
time.  l!y  liiT  tlie  olil  baltlea  bt-lwien  Krwilcm  and  IVe- 
potif  m  were  foiisht  lang  nuo.  and  th;'  forms  and  princiiili  a 
of  Lilieity  can  e  fortli.  to  paas,  amid  many  vicifBituuc, 
down  to  a  new. bora  day." 

"  There  !     I'm  coming  to  the  point  now  !" 
"About  time,  I  imagine.     The  editor  will 
get  into  despair.'' 

"  There  is  but  one  filling  approach  to  Rome.  By  any 
otiier  roiid  tlie  mnje- ty  of  the  Old  Capital  i«  lost  in  tlic  Uwt- 
er  grandeur  of  i|ie  Medieval  City.  Wboevei  g.ies  tliere  let 
liiin  come  up  from  Naples  and  enter  by  tlic  Jerusalim 
Gate." 

"Jerusalem  fiddlesticks!  Why,  there's  no 
such  gate!" 

"There  the  Tery  spirit  of  Antiquity  sits  entlironed  to 
welcome  the  traveller,  and  all  the  solemn  Past  sheds  iur 
lutluences  over  his  soul—" 

"  Excuse  me  ;  there  is  a  Jerusalem  Gate." 
"  Perhaps  so — in  Joppa." 

"  There  the  Imperial  City  lies  In  the  niblimily  of  ruin. 
It  is  the  Home  of  our  dreams— the  gliost  of  a  dead  and 
buried  Kmpire  liovering  over  its  own  neglected  grave  1" 

j      "  Dick,  it's  not  fair  to  work  off  an  old  college 
essay  as  European  correspondence." 

"  Nothing  may  bs  seen  hut  desolation.  The  waste  Cnm- 
piigno  stretches  its  arid  surface  away  to  tlie  Albnn  mount- 
iiinn,  uninhabited,  and  forsalten  of  man  and  be-ist.  K  r 
till!  dust  and  the  works  and  the  monuments  o;  .nilUons  lie 
here,  mingled  in  the  common  conniption  of  tlic  tomb,  un  I 
the  life  of  the  present  *ge  shrinks  away  in  terror.  Toni? 
I'n  8  of  lofty  aqueducts  come  slowly  down  from  the  Allinn 
hill.j,  but  these  crumbled  stones  and  broken  archi.s  tell  a 
story  more  eloquent  than  human  voice. 

"  The  walls  ailse  before  us,  but  there  Is  no  city  beyond. 
The  desolation  that  reigns  la  the  Campagna  lias  entered 
here.  The  palace  of  the  noble,  the  haunts  of  pleasure,  the 
le-orts  of  the  multitude,  the  garrison  of  the  soldier,  have 
criimble<l  to  dust,  and  mingled  together  in  one  comraoo 
ruin.  The  soil  on  which  we  tread,  wliich  gives  birth  to 
tre-p,  shnibfi,  and  wiM  tlnwcrs  without  nimiber,  is  but  an 
a-«-enihl«ge  of  th**  di-integrnted  atoms  of  stones  and  morttir 
f  li'it  once  arose  on  high  in  the  form  of  palace,  pyrarai-l,  or 
temple." 

"  Dick,  I  advise  yon  to  write  all  your  letters 

l,_«r,_.,    --.".;•    c^,-^  tK~  T.!-.-«i  ^7.-.:-    i;-..-..^'-    ..f  \',,,.* 

no  idea  how  eloquent  you  can  be!" 

"  Now  if  we  pass  on  in  this  direction,  we  soon  come  to  n 
spot  wliich  is  the  cm  re  .if  the  world— the  placi  where 
mo"t  of  all  we  must  look  when  we  scach  for  the  aourcu  at 
much  that  is  valuable  in  our  age. 


THE  DODGE  CLUB  j  OB,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


67 


"  It  h  »  rude  and  ■  ni>t;lerted  ipot.    Al  one  end  rliee  a 

nek  crowned  with  liouiea ;  on  one  ilde  are  a  few  mean  edi. 
fleet,  mingled  with  mauca  of  tattering  mini ;  on  the  other 
a  hill  formed  altogether  of  crumbled  atuma  of  bricka,  mor- 
tar, and  preciooi  marbloa.  In  the  midat  are  a  few  rough 
columns  blackened  by  time  and  czpcjure.  The  luil  la 
deep,  and  in  placet  there  are  pita  where  excnvationa  have 
been  made.  KubUah  Ilea  around  :  bita  of  airaw,  and  graag, 
and  hay,  and  decayed  leather,  and  bruken  iKittleo,  aud  old 
boneo.  A  few  dirty  aheplierda  paaa  along,  driving  lean  and 
niiserabla  aheep.  Further  lip  ia  a  cliiiter  of  wine^arta, 
with  atlli  more  cnrioua  horaea  and  driven". 

"What  la  tlila  place?— what  tlioee  nilna,  theae  fallen 
mnniimenta,  theae  hoary  archea,  theae  iry-covered  walU  1 
Whatr     Thiala— 

"  '  The  fl«li]  of  fravtdom,  faction,  fame,  and  blood  ; 
Here  a  proud  iie«|,!e"ti  iHUMioni  were  eibaied, 

Frtim  the  flrti  hou;  of  Kniiiire  in  the  bud 
To  lliat  when  further  wi>rhtii  to  con<(uer  failed  ; 

The  Forum  where  the  immortal  accent!  ifiow. 

And  itill  the  eloquent  air  hreathea,  buma  wilh  Clcaro  !' 

"  Yet  if  you  go  up  to  one  of  tliow  people  and  aak  tliia 
plication,  he  will  answer  ymi  nnd  tell  you  the  only  name 
he  knows — '  The  Cow  Market  "  " 

"Is  that  all ?"  inquirr. J  Buttons,  as  Dick  laid 
down  his  paper. 

"  That's  all  I've  written  as  yet." 

Whereupon  Buttons  clapped  his  hands  to  ex- 
press applause,  and  all  the  others  laughingly  fol- 
lowed his  example. 

"Dick,"  said  the  Senator,  after  a  pause, 
"  whnt  you  have  written  sounds  pretty.  But 
look  at  the  facts.  Here  you  arc  writing  a  dc- 
Fcription  of  Rome  before  you've  seen  any  thing 
of  the  place  at  all.  All  that  you  have  put  in 
tli.1t  letter  is  what  you  have  read  in  books  of 
travel.  I  mention  this  not  from  blame,  but 
merely  to  show  what  a  wrong  principle  travellers 
po  on.  They  don't  notice  real  live  facts.  Now 
I've  promised  the  editor  of  our  paper  a  letter. 
As  soon  as  I  write  it  I'll  read  it  for  you.  The 
style  won't  be  equal  to  yours.  But,  if  I  write, 
I'll  be  bound  to  tell  something  new.  Senti- 
ment," pursued  the  Senator,  thoughtfully,  "is 
playing  the  dickens  with  the  present  age.  What 
we  ought  to  look  at  is  not  old  ruins  or  pictures, 
but  men— men— live  men.  I'd  rather  visit  the 
cottage  of  an  Italian  peasant  thon  any  church  in 
the  country.  I'd  rather  see  the  working  of  the 
political  constitution  of  this  'ere  benighted  land 
than  any  painting  you  can  show.  Horse-shoes 
before  ancient  stones,  and  macaroni  before  stat- 
ues, say  I :  For  these  little  things  show  me  all 
thelii'cofthe  people.  If  I  only  understood  their 
cursed  lingo,"  said  the  Senator,  with  a  tinge  of 
regret,  "  I'd  rather  stand  and  hear  them  talk  by 
the  hour,  partlcu'arly  the  women,  than  listen  to 
the  pootiest  music  they  can  scare  up!" 

"  I  tried  that  game,"  said  Mr.  Figgs,  rueful- 
ly, "in  Naples.  I  went  into  a  broker's  shop  to 
change  a  Napoleon.  I  thought  I'd  like  to  see 
tlicir  linancial  system.  I  saw  enough  of  it ;  for 
the  scoundrel  gave  me  a  lot  of  little  liits  of  coin 
that  only  passed  frra  few  cents  iipicno  in  Najilcs,  ! 
with  difficulty  at  that,  and  won't  pass  here  at 
all!" 

The  Senator  laughed.  "  Well,  you  ."houldn't ' 
complain.  You  lost  your  Napoleon,  but  gained  i 
experience.  Yon  have  a  new  wrinkle.  1  gained 
a  new  wrinkle  too  when  I  gave  a  half-Napoleon, 
by  mistake,  to  a  wretched  looking  beggar,  blind 
of  one  eye.  I  intended  to  give  him  a  centime." 
"Your  principle,"  said  Buttons,  "docs  well 


enough  for  yon  as  a  traveller.  But  you  don't 
look  St  all  the  points  of  the  subject.  The  point 
is  to  write  a  letter  for  a  newspaper.  Now  what 
is  the  most  successful  kind  of  letter  ?  The  read- 
ers of  a  family  paper  are  notoriously  women  and 
young  men,  or  lads.  Older  men  only  look  at 
the  advertisements  or  the  news.  What  do 
women  nnd  lads  care  for  horsc-shocs  and  maca- 
roni ?  Of  course,  if  one  were  to  write  about 
these  things  in  a  humorous  style  they  would 
take  ;  but,  as  a  general  thing,  they  prefer  to  read 
about  old  ruins,  aud  statues,  and  cities,  and  pro- 
cessions.  But  the  best  kind  of  o  correspondence 
is  that  which  deals  altogether  in  adventures. 
Thot's  what  takes  the  mind  I  Incidents  of  trav- 
el,  fights  with  ruffians,  quarrels  with  landlords, 
shipwrecks,  robber}-,  odd  scrapes,  laughable 
scenes;  nnd  Dick,  my  boy!  when  you  write 
again  be  sure  to  fill  your  letter  with  events  of 
this  sort." 

"  But  suppose,"  suggested  Dick,  meekly, 
"  that  we  mcetwith  no  ruffians,  and  there  are  no 
adventures  to  relate  ?" 

"  Then  use  a  traveller's  privilege  and  invent 
them.  What  was  imagination  given  for  if  not 
to  use  ?" 

"  It  will  not  do— it  will  not  do, "  said  the  Sen- 
ator, decidedly.  "Yon  must  hold  on  to  facts. 
Information,  not  amoseraent,  should  be  3-onr 
aim." 

"But  information  is  dull  by  itself.  Amuse- 
ment (icrhaps  is  useless.  Now  how  much  bet- 
ter to  combine  the  utility  of  solid  information 
with  the  lighter  graces  of  amusement,  fun,  and 
fancy.  Your  jiill.  Doctor,  is  hard  to  take, 
though  its  effects  are  good.  Coat  it  with  sugar 
nnd  it's  easy." 

"What!"  exclaimed  the  Doctor,  suddenly 
starting  up.  "  I'la  not  asleep  !  Did  you  s]K)u'k 
to  me  ?" 

The  Doctor  blinked  and  rubbed  his  eyes,  and 
wondered  what  the  company  were  laugliing  at. 
In  a  few  minutes,  however,  he  concluded  to  re- 
sume his  broken  slumber  in  his  bed.  lie  accord, 
ingly  retired  ;  and  the  company  followed  his  ex- 
ample. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

ST.  Peter's!  — THE  tragic  story  of  the  pat 
man  in  the  ball. — how  another  traoedv 
neari.y  happened.— tub  woes  of  meinuerii 

schatt. 

Two  stately  fountains,  a  colonnade  which  in 
spito  of  faults  possesses  unequalled  majesty,  a 
vast  piazza,  enclosing  many  acres,  in  whose  "im- 
mense area  puny  man  dwindles  to  a  dwarf,  and 
in  the  distance  the  unapproachable  glories  of 
the  greatest  of  earthly  temples— such  is  the  first 
view  of  St.  Peter's. 

Our  party  of  frlcmU  rntcred  the  lordlv  vesti- 
bule, and  lifting  the  heavy  mat  that  hung  over 
the  door-way  they  passed  through.  There  came 
a  soft  air  laden  with  the  odor  of  incense ;  and 
strains  of  music  from  one  of  the  side  chapels 
came  echoing  dreamily  down  one  of  '.ho  lida 


fiS 


THE  DODGE  CLUB;  OB,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


«i»Icg.  A  Klnre  of  «unlif;ht  flashed  in  on  pol- 
ialieJ  marhlos  of  a  thousuncl  colors  that  covered 
pillars,  walls,  and  pavement.  The  vaulted  cell- 
infi  blazed  with  gold.  People  strolled  to  and 
fio  without  any  apparent  object.  They  secmp.l 
to  1k!  pronicnadinp.  In  dirtercnt  j.luces  some 
peasimt  women  were  kneeling. 

They  walked  up  the  nnve.  The  size  of  the 
immense  edifice  increased  with  every  step. 
Arriving  iidcr  the  dome  they  stood  looking  up 
with  boundless  astonishment. 

They  walked  round  and  round.     Tliev  saw 
statues   which   were   masterpieces    of  penius; 
sculjitures  tliat  glowed  with  immortal  beauty  ;  ' 
pictures  which  had  consumed  a  life-time  as  thcv  \ 
grew  up  Unenth  the  patient  toil  of  the  mosaic 
worker.      There  were  altars  containing  gems  ' 
equal  to  11  king's  ransom  ;   curious  jiillars  that 
came  down  from  immemorial  ages  ;  lamps  that 
burn  forever. 

"This,"  said  the  Senator,  "is  about  the  first 
place  that  has  really  come  up  to  my  idee  of  for- 
eign parts.  In  fact  it  goes  clean  beyond  it.  I 
acknowledge  its  superiority  to  nny'thing  that 
America  can  produce.  But  what's  the  good  of 
it  all  ?  If  this  Government  really  cared  for  the 
good  of  the  people  it  would  sell  out  the  hull 
concern,  and  devote  the  proceeds  to  railways 
and  factories.  Then  Italy  would  go  ahead  "as 
Providence  intended." 

"My  dear  Sir,  the  people  of  this  country 
would  rise  and  annihilate  any  Govenrmcnt  that 
dared  to  touch  it." 

"Shows  how  debased  they  have  grown. 
There's  no  utility  in  all  this.  There  couldn't 
be  any  really  good  Gospel  preaching  here.  I 

"  Different  people  require  different  modes  of 
worship,"  said  Buttons,  sententiously. 

"  But  it's  immense," said  the  Senator,  as  they  ; 
stood  at  the  furthest  end  and  looked  toward  the  ! 
entrance.  "  I've  been  c.nlc'latin'  that  you  could 
range  along  this  middle  aisle  about"  eighteen 
good-sized  Protestant  churches,  and  eighteen 
more  along  the  side  aisles.  You  could  pile 
them  up  three  tiers  high.  You  could  stow  away 
twcnty.four  more  in  the  cross  aisle.  After  that 
you  could  pile  up  twenty  more  in  the  dome. 
That  would  make  room  here  for  one  hundred 
and  fifty-two  good-sized  Protestant  churches, 
and  room  enough  would  bo  left  to  stow  away  all 
their  spires." 

And  to  show  the  truth  of  his  calculation  he 
exhibited  a  piece  of  paper  on  which  he  had  pen- 
cilled it  all. 

If  the  interior  is  imposing  the  ascent  to  the 
roof  is  ecpially  so.  There  is  a  winding  path  so 
arranged  that  mules  can  go  up  carr)ing  loads. 
Up  this  they  went  and  reached  tlio  roof.  Six 
or  seven  acres  of  territory  snatched  from  the 
air  sjircad  around  ;  statues  rose  from  (he  edge  ; 
nil  around  cupolas  and  pillars  arose.  In  the 
centre  the  huge  dome  itself  towered  on  hish. 
Tliero  was  a  long  low  building  filled  with  peo- 
ple who  lived  up  here.  They  were  workmen 
whose  duty  it  was  to  attend  to  the  repairs  of 
the  vast  structure.     Two  fountains  poured  forth 


a  ncTer-ecasing  supply  of  water.  It  was  diffl- 
calt  to  conceive  that  this  was  the  roof  of  a  build- 
ing. 

Entering  the  base  of  the  central  cupola  a 
stairway  leads  up.  There  is  a  door  which  leads 
to  the  in-.erior,  where  one  can  walk  around  a 
gallery  on  the  inside  of  the  dome  and  look  down. 
Further  up  where  the  arch  springs  there  is  an- 
other. Finally,  at  the  apex  of  the  dome  there 
IS  a  third  opening.  Looking  down  through  this 
the  sensation  is  terrific. 

Upon  the  summit  of  the  n  -,t  dome  stnnds  an 
cdihce  of  large  size,  which  is  called  the  lantern, 
and  appears  insignificant  in  comparison  with 
the  mighty  structure  beneath.  Uj)  this  tho 
stairway  goes  until  at  length  the  opening  into 
the  bull  is  reached. 

The  whole  five  climbed  up  into  the  ball. 
They  found  to  their  surprise  that  it  would  hold 
twice  as  many  more.  The  Senator  reached  up 
his  hand.  He  could  not  touch  the  top.  They 
looked  through  tho  slits  in  tho  side.  The  view 
was  boundless;  the  wide  Campagna,  the  pur- 
ple Aricniiincs,  the  blue  Mediterranean,  appear- 
ed from  different  sides. 

"  I  feel,"  said  the  Senator,  "  that  the  conceit 
is  taken  out  of  me.  What  is  Boston  State 
House  to  this;  or  Bunker  Hill  monument !  I 
used  to  sec  pictures  of  this  place  in  Woodbridge's 
Gcograi)liy ;  but  I  never  had  a  realizing  sense 
of  architecture  until  now." 

"This  ball,"  said  Buttons,  '-has  its  historv, 
its  associations.  It  has  been  the  scene  of  suf- 
fering. Once  a  stoutish  man"  came  up  here. 
The  guides  warned  him,  but  to  no  purpose.  Ho 
was  a  willful  En{;lishman.  You  may  see,  gen- 
tlemen, that  the  opening  is  narrow.  Huw  tho 
Englishman  managed  to  get  up  docs  not  ajpear; 
but  it  is  certain  that  when  ho  tried  to  get  down 
he  found  it  impossible.  He  tried  for  hours  to 
squeeze  through.  Xo  use.  Hundreds  of  peo- 
jilo  came  up  to  help  him.  They  couldn't.  The 
whole  city  got  into  a  state  of  "wild  excitement. 
Some  of  the  churches  had  jirayers  offered  up 
for  him  though  he  was  a  heretic.  At  the  end 
of  three  days  he  tried  again.  Fasting  and 
anxiety  had  come  to  his  relief,  and  ho  slipped 
through  without  difficulty." 

"He  must  have  been  "a  London  swell,"  said 
Dick. 

"I  don't  believe  a  word  of  it,"  said  Mr. 
Figgs,  looking  with  an  expression  of  horror, 
first  at  the  opening  and  then  at  his  own  rotund. 
ity.  Then  springing  forward  he  hurriedly  bo- 
gon  to  descend. 

Happy  Mr.  Figgs!  There  was  no  danger 
for  him.  But  in  his  eagerness  to  get  down  he 
did  not  think  of  looking  below  to  see  if  the  way 
was  clear.  And  so  it  happened,  that  as  ho  de- 
8cende<l  quickly  and  with  excited  haste,  he 
stepped  with  all  his  weight  upon  the  hand  of  a 

Mr.  Figgs  jumped.  His  foot  slipped.  Hi* 
hand  loosened,  and  down  he  fell  plump  to  the 
bottom.  Had  he  fallen  on  the  floor  there  is  no 
doubt  that  he  would  have  sustained  severe  in- 


THE  DODGt  CLUB ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


59 


jurr.  Furtunatclv  fur  himself  he  fell  upon  the 
Btran);cr  and  nearly  crushed  his  life  out. 

The  stranger  writhed  and  rolled  till  he  had 
pot  rid  of  his  heavy  burden.  The  two  men 
simultaneously  started  to  tlicirfeet.  The  strnn- 
Kcr  wns  a  short  stont  man  with  an  unmistaka- 
ble German  face.  He  had  bright  blue  eyes,  red 
hair,  nnd  a  forked  red  beard.  lie  stared  with 
all  his  might,  stroked  his  forked  red  board  pitc- 
ously,  and  then  ejaculoted  most  culturally,  in 
tunes  tliot  seemed  to  come  from  lii:i  boots — 

"  Gh-h-h-r-r-r-r-r-acious  me  I'' 

Mr.  Fipgs  overwhelmed  him  with  apologies, 
assured  him  that  it  was  quite  unintentional, 
hoped  that  he  wasn't  hurt,  begged  his  pardon  ; 
but  the  stranger  only  panted,  und  still  he  stroked 
his  forked  red  beard,  and  still  ejaculated — 

"Gh-h-h-r-r-r-r-r-acious  me!'' 

Four  heads  peered  through  the  opening 
above  ;  but  seeing  no  accident  their  owners,  one 
by  one,  descended,  ond  all  with  much  sympathy 
asked  the  stranger  if  ho  was  much  hurt.  But 
the  stranger,  who  seemed  quite  bewildered,  still 
panted  nnd  stroked  his  beard,  and  ejaculated — 

"  Gh-h-h-r-r-r-r-r-acious  nie  I" 

At  length  he  seemed  to  recover  his  faculties, 
and  discovered  that  he  was  not  hurt.  Upon 
this  ho  assured  Mr.  Figgs,  in  heavy  guttural 
English,  that  it  wns  nothing.  He  had  often 
been  knocked  down  before.  If  Mr.  Figgs  were 
a  Frenchman,  he  would  feel  angry.  But  as  he 
was  nn  American  he  was  proud  to  make  his 
aiqunintanre.-  He  himself  had  once  lived  in 
Amorica,  in  Cincinnati,  where  ho  had  edited 
a  Geiman  paper.  His  name  was  Meinherr 
Schatt. 

Meinherr  Schatt  showed  no  further  disposi- 
tion to  go  up;  but  descended  with  the  others 
down  as  far  as  the  roof,  when  they  went  to  the 
front  and  stood  looking  down  on  the  pia/.za. 
In  the  course  of  conversation  Meinherr  Schatt 
informed  them  that  he  belonged  to  the  Ducliy 
of  Saxc  Meiningen,  that  he  had  been  living  in 
Home  about  two  years,  ami  liked  it  about  ns 
well  as  any  place  that  ho  had  seen. '    He  went 


every  antnmn  to  Paris  to  s|)eculntc  on  the 
Bourse,  and  generally  made  enough  to  keep 
him  for  a  year.  He  was  acquainted  with  all 
the  artists  in  Rome.  Would  they  like  to  be  in- 
troduced to  some  of  thera  ? 

Buttons  would  be  most  charmed.  lie  would 
rather  become  acquainted  with  ai  tists  than  with 
any  class  of  people. 

Meinherr 'Schatt  lamented  deeply  the  present 
state  of  tilings  arising  from  the  war  in  Lom- 
liardy.  A  peaceful  German  traveller  was  scarce- 
ly safe  now.  Little  boys  mode  faces  at  him  in 
the  street,  nnd  shouted  after  him,  "Malodetto 
Tedescho ! " 

Just  at  this  moment  the  eye  of  Buttons  was 
attracted  by  a  carriage  that  rolled  away  from 
under  the  front  of  the  cathedral  down  the  piaz- 
za. In  it  were  two  ladies  nnd  a  gentleman. 
Buttons  stared  eagerly  for  a  few  moments,  and 
then  gave  a  jump. 

"  What's  the  matter?"  cried  Dick, 

"It  is!     BvJove!     It  is!"  • 

"What?     Who?" 

"  I  see  her  face  !     I'm  off!" 

"Confound  it !     Whose  face  ?" 

But  Buttons  gave  no  answer.  lie  was  off 
like  the  wind,  and  before  the  others  could  re- 
cover from  their  surprise  had  vanished  down 
tlic  descent. 

"What  upon  nirth  has  possessed  Buttons 
now  ?"  asked  the  Senator. 

'•  It  must  be  the  Spanish  girl,"  snid  Dick. 

"  Agnin  ?  Hasn't  his  mad  chase  at  sea  given 
him  a  lesson?  Spanish  girl !  What  is  he  after ? 
If  he  wants  a  girl,  why  can't  he  wait  and  jiick 
out  n  regular  tliorough-brcd  out  and  outer  of 
Yankee  stock  ?  These  Spaniards  are  not  the 
right  sort." 

In  nn  incredible  short  space  of  time  the  figure 
of  Buttons  was  seen  dashing  down  the  piazza, 
in  the  direction  which  the  carringe  had  taken. 
But  tiie  carriage  was  far  ahead,  nnd  even  as  he 
left  the  church  it  had  already  crossed  the  Ponto 
di  S.  Angelo.  The  others  then  descended. 
Buttons  was  not  seen  till  the  end  of  the  day. 


I» 


."QBAOIOCS  MeI" 


CO 


THE  DODGE  CLUB;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


He  then  made  his  appearance  with  a  dejected 
■ir. 

"  What  luck  ?••  aiked  Dick,  m  he  came  in. 

"  None  at  all,"  taid  Buttons,  gloomily-. 

"  Wrong  ones  again  ?" 

"  No,  indeed.  Im  not  mistaken  this  time 
But  I  couldn't  catch  them.  Thoy  got  out  of 
sight,  and  kept  out  too.  I've  been  to  cverv 
hotel  in  the  place,  but  couldn't  find  them.  Its 
too  bad.'' 

"lluttons,"  said  the  Senator,  gravolv,  "I'm 
sorry  to  see  a  young  man  like  you  bo  infatuated. 
Beware— Buttons— beware  of  wimniin !  Take 
the  advice  of  an  older  and  more  cxficrienced 
man.  Beware  of  wimroin.  Whenever  you  scp 
one  coming— dodge  !  It's  your  only  hof)C.  If 
it  hadn't  been  for  wimmin"'— and  the  Senator 
seemed  to  speak  half  to  himself,  while  his  fmc 
assumed  a  i«nsivo  air- "if  it  hadn't  been  for 
wimmin,  Id  been  haranguing  the  Legislatoor 
now,  instead  of  wearying  my  bones  in  this  be- 
nighted and  enslaved  countrv." 


CHAPTER  XX. 

THE  CLORT,  OnANDElR,  BEAUTT,  AND  I\-FiyiTB 
VARIETY  OF  TUB  IMNCIAN  HILL;  NARRATED 
AND  DETAILED  NOT  COHMNAHII.Y  HIT  E.\- 
IIAISTIVEI.V,  AND  AFTER  TUB  MANNER  OF  KA- 
KELAIS. 

Oil,  the  Pincian  IIiIl!-Docs  the  memory  of 
that  place  aft'ect  all  alike?  Whether  it  does 
or  not  matters  little  to  the  chronicler  of  this 
veracious  history.  To  him  it  is  the  crown  and 
glory  of  modern  Rome  ;  the  centre  around  which 
nil  R.,me  clusters.  Delightful  walks!  Views 
without  a  parallel!  Place  on  earth  to  which  ' 
no  place  else  can  hold  a  candle  !  | 

Pooh— whats  the  use  of  talking?     Contem-  ' 
plate,  U  Itoader,  from  the  Pincian  Hill  the  fol- 
lowing :  I 

Tho  Tilwr,  ThB  Cnrnpupnii,  The  A^np,^n'•t^  Trajnn', 
Column,  Ant.mine'8  Hilar,  Thfl  VinzA  dd  l-.l, I™ -ii," 
1  om  <li.l  Lai)it.ijIio,  The  Ilo,.r  Caplu.lino,  The V.latine 

Ihe  AveTitine,  The  Vatican,  Tho  Janicnlum,  St  Peter' r.  ' 
1  he  I*ur«n,  The  Stand,  for  Koa.t  ChealnuJ^  The  New 
York  /.mM,  tlie  lliirdy.gurdys,  The  London  Tinie»,  The 
lUree-showB,  The  Obelink  of  Mosaic  Pharaoh,  The  Wine 
A*rtil"'v'"'^'tr'f"  v"'  '^"'"'  B<-KB«"'>C.rdiiaU,  Mook^ 
s^iL^^r  "",'•  Vl^  ^"^  ^'"'^  Tribune,  French  wldiers^ 
SwlM  Guards,   Dutchmen,   Moiaic-workem,  riune-trce»^ 

Jlea»,  Men  from  Bo«ting,  Patent  Medicine*,  Swell.,  Laeer 
Meeric  ,«„m.pipe8.  The  New  York  //«-«/d,'cro„.,  Ruft  i 
Scats,  l>ark.eyed  Maidis  Babel,  Ternlpin^  Marbl^  I-ave: 
menu,  .«p,,lers,  Ilre.my  Haze.  Jew,,  (Jo^^ks  HonrAU 
he  l'»*t,  lUp,Theoripinal  Itarrel-organ,  The  oriKlna 
S?;F.  "m'"  "?"'-'»°,>Vhl«ky,  I'lvitI  Vecchia  Olive" 
lladriaii  H  Mausoleum,  Harp^',  Mmnuinc,  Thr  Ijiuie 
M,.de,  Murray.  Hand-book, Cioeronei,  l-ngiinhmen,  1^ 

Dottle  Hie^,  Gnat,,  Gahgnam,  Statue,,  Pen«ant^  (;«!k- 

Puviiion,,  Mo«„c  lirooche,.  Little  Uoga,  Small  Hoy,,  IJzI  : 
urUi.,  Snakps,  Golden  Sunsets,  Turk,,  Purple  Hill,    Pla 

pile' A  '"rf  n"\*'f"l''^"'  ^''  •^•■''-  '^"f  ^ol'siA  ' 
Palo  Ale,  The  Dust  of  Arm,  The  Gho-t  of  Home,  Im 

Lr,:ani,  Memories,  Soda-\V«ter,  Hai-per's  UuiUe-Book.         | 


CUAITER  XXI. 

:  HARMONT  ON  THE  PINCIAN  HIIX.— Mmir  HATW 
CHARMS  -AMEHK  AN  MELODIKS.-TIIK  0LOr7 
T  IE  ...WER,  AND  THE  BEA.TT  OF  YANKEE  D^il 
DLE,  AND  THE  MERCENARY  BOIL  OF  tN  ITAL^ 
IAN  OIIOAN-URINDEU. 

The  Senator  loved  the  Pincian  Hill,  for  there 
ho  saw  what  he  loved  best;  more  than  ruins 
more  than  churches,  more  than  pictures  and 
I  statues,  more  than  music.  He  saw  man  and 
human  nature, 
j  He  had  a  smile  for  all ;  of  superiority  for  tho 
b Oated  aristocrat;  of  friendliness  for  llie  hum- 
ble, yet  perchance  worthy  mendicant.  He 
longed  every  day  more  and  more  to  be  able  to 
talk  tho  language  of  the  people. 

On  one  occasion  the  Club  was  walking  on  tho 
Pincian  Hill,  when  suddenly  they  were  arrested 
by  familiar  sounds  which  came  from  some  place 
not  very  far  away.  It  was  a  bancl-orpim ;  n 
soft  and  musical  organ ;  but  it  was  tdaving 
"  Sweet  Home."  "     *' 

"  A  Yankee  tunc,"  said  the  Senator.  "Let 
lis  go  and  patronize  domestic  manufacture. 
Ihat  is  my  idee  of  political  economy." 

Reaching  tho  spot  they  saw  a  imle,  intellect- 
ual-looking  Italian  working  away  at  his  instru- 
ment. 

!      "It's  not  bad,  though  that  there  may  not  bo 

^  tho  highest  kind  of  musical  instrument." 

I      "No,"  said  Buttons;    "  but   I  wonder   that 

you,  on  elder  of  a  church,  can  stand  here  and 

listen  to  it." 

'      "  Why,  what  has  tho  church  to  dc  with  a 
barrel-organ  ?" 
I       "  Don't  you  believe  the  Bible  ?" 

"  Of  course,"  said  the  Senator,  looking  mys- 
tified. »'.>'• 

"Don't  you  know  what  it  says  on  the  sub- 
ject?" 

"  What  the  Bible  says  ?  Why  no,  of  course 
not.     It  s-ays  nothing." 

"  I  beg  your  pardon.  Itsavs,  '  Tliesonnd  of 
the  grinding  is  low.'  See  Ecclesiastes,  twelfth 
fourth." 

;      The  Senator  looked  mystified,  hnt  said  noth- 
ing.      But  suddenly  the  organ-grinder   struck 
j  up  another  tunc. 

!      "  Well,  I  do  declare,"  cried  the  Senator,  de- 
1  lighted,  "if  it  isn't  another  domestic  melody !" 

It  was  "  Independence  Day." 
I      "  Why,  it  warms  my  hca'rt,"  he  said,  as  a 
flush  spread  over  his  fine  countenance. 
'      The  organ-grinder  received  any  quantify  of 
haiorchi,  which  so  encouraned  him"  that  lie  t'ried 
another— "Old  Virginny." 

"That's  better  yet,"  said  the  Senator.  "  But 
how  on  airth  did  this  man  manage  to  got  hold 
of  these  tunes?" 

Then  came  others.  They  were  all  Ameri- 
can :  "Old  Folks  at  Home,"  "Nelly  BIy," 
"Suwannee  Ribber,"  "Jordan,"  "Dan  Tuck- 
er," *■  (ilia  C*'ow.'* 

The  Senator  was  certainly  most  demonstra- 
tive, but  all  tho  others  were  equally  affected. 

Thcjso  native  airs  ;  the  dashing,' iho  reckless. 


THE  DODGE  CLUB;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLLX. 


ihe  ro»riii;(ly.liumoroim,  tho 
obBtrc|Jcrouilv  jdllv  —  tlioy 
jliow  one  part  of  the  mnny. 
sided  Amcricnn  chRractcr. 

Not  yet  hai  justice  been 
done  to  tlie  nigger  sotig.  It 
ii  not  n  nifjKer  sont;.  It 
U  an  American  niclmly. 
Lcovinj  cut  tliono  which 
have  been  stolen  from  Ital- 
ian Operas,  liow  many  there 
are  which  are  truly  Amcri- 
cnn in  tlieir  extravagance, 
their  broad  htimur,  their 
glorious  and  uproarious  jol- 
lity !  The  words  are  trusli. 
Tlio  melodies  aro  every 
tiling. 

These  melodies  tnnclicd 
the  hearts  o"  tho  listeners. 
American  life  rose  before 
them  as  they  listened. — 
American  life — free,  bound- 
less, exuberant,  broadly-de- 
veloping, self- asserting, 
gaining  its  characteristics 
from  the  boundless  extent 
of  its  home — a  continental 
life  of  limitless  variety.  As 
mournful  as  the  Scotch  ;  as 
reckless  as  tho  Irish ;  as 
solemnly  patriotic  na  the  Enplisli. 

"Listen!"  cried  the  Senator,  in  wild  excite- 
ment. 

It  was  "Ilail  Columbia." 

"The  Pineian  Hill,"  siiid  the  Senator,  with 
deep  solemnity,  "  is  glorilicd  from  this  time 
forth  and  for  evermore.  It  has  gained  a  now 
charm.  Tho  Voice  of  Freedom  hath  made  it- 
self lieard !" 


Yankee  Doodle  has  never  received  jtislico. 
It  is  a  tune  without  words.  What  ore  tho  rec- 
ognized words  ?  Nonsense  nnutter.ddu  —  tha 
sneer  of  a  British  ofKcer.  But  the  tunc  I — ah, 
that  is  quite  anothar  thing! 

The  tune  was  from  the  very  first  taken  lo  the 
national  heart,  and  has  never  censed  to  be  cher- 
ished there.     The  Itcpublie  has  grown  to  be  a 
very  different  thing  from  that  weak  beginning* 
riic  others,  though  less  demonstrative,  were  :  but  its  national  air  is  as  popular  as  ever.     The 
less  ikiigh^ed.     Then  came  another,  better    people  do  not  merely  love  it.     They  glory  in  it. 

And  yet  apologies  are  sometimes  made  for  it. 


yet.      "The  Star-Spanglod  Banner." 

"There!"  cried  tho  Senator,  "is  our  true 
national  anthem — the  commemoration  of  nation- 
al triumph;  tho  grand  upsoaring  of  the  victori- 
ous American  Eagle  as  it  wings  its  everlasting 
flight  through  the  blue  empyrean  f.wny  up  to 
the  eternal  stars  ! " 

He  burst  into  tears;  the  others  respected  his 
emotion. 

Then  he  wiped  his  eyes  and  looked  ashamed 
of  himself— quite  uselessly— for  it  is  a  mistake 
to  suppose  that  tears  are  unmanly.  Unmanly  ! 
The  manliest  of  men  may  sometimes  shed  tears 
out  of  his  very  manhood. 

At  lust  there  arose  a  magic  strain  that  pro- 
duced an  effect  to  which  tho  former  was  noth- 
ing.    It  was  "  Yankee  Doodle  !" 

The  Senator  did  not  speak.  He  could  not 
find  words.  He  turned  his  eyes  first  upon  one, 
and  then  another  of  his  companions ;  eves  hcAm. 
Ing  \yith  joy  and  triumph  —  eyes  that  showed 
emotion  arising  straight  from  a  patriot's  heart 
— pycs  which  seemed  to  say  :  Is  there  any  sound 
on  (-:ii  th  or  above  t!ic  earth  that  can  cqui'.l  this  ? 


By  whom?  By  tho  soulless  dilettante.  The 
people  know  better :— tho  farmers,  the  mechan- 
ics, the  fishermen,  the  dry-goods  clcrk.s,  the 
newsboys,  tho  railway  stokers,  the  butchers, 
the  bakers,  the  candlestick-makers,  the  tinkers, 
the  tailors,  the  soldiers,  the  sailors.  Why  ? 
Because  this  music  has  a  voice  of  its  own,  more 
expressive  thiui  words;  the  language  of  tho 
soul,  whic''  s{)caks  forth  in  certain  melodies 
which  form  an  utterance  of  unutterable  passion. 

The  name  was  perhaps  given  in  ridicule.  It 
was  accepted  with  pride.  The  air  is  rash,  reck- 
less, gay,  triumphant,  noisy,  boisterous,  care- 
less, heedless,  rampant,  raging,  nwring,  rattle- 
brainish,  devil  -  may  -  care-  ish,  jdague  -  take  -ihe- 
hindraost-ish ;  but!  solemn,  stern,  hopeful,  res- 
olutc,  fierce,  menacing,  strong,  cantankeront 
(cantankerous  is  entirely  an  American  idea), 
bold,  darlm — 

Words  fail. 

Yankee  Doodle  has  not  yet  received  its  Doo! 

The  Senator  had  smiled,  laughed,  sighed, 
wept,  gone  throu;;h  many  variations  of  feeling. 


«t 


THE  DODGE  CLUD ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


Flo  haJ  thrown  laiorchi  till  hit  pockets  were  ox- 
li«u»tcd,  mill  then  Immlcd  forth  lilver.  Ho  h«a 
ilmkcii  hiinilH  with  iilt  \\\*  romiwnioDS  ten  tin.ci 
Bvi-r.  They  tlicmioltcs  went  not  <|uito  ai  fur 
III  feeling  at  ho,  but  )et  to  a  certain  cxiopt  thoy 
wi'iit  ill. 

And  yet  Amcricann  are  thought  to  he  practi- 
cal, and  not  ideal.  Yet  hero  was  a  true  Amer- 
ican «lio  was  intoxicated— liriink!  Uv  what? 
I5y  noun. I,  n()tr!t,  harmony.      Uy  music! 

"  Huttonn,"  oiiid  he,  ai  the  miwic  ceased  and 
the  Italian  prepared  t  mako  his  bow  and  quit 
tlio  scene, "I  must  mako  that  gentleman's  ac- 
quaintance.'' 

Buttons  wolkcd  np  to  the  orRon-prinder. 
*'  Be  my  iiitorpretor,"  Haid  iho  Senator.    "  In. 
troduce  mc." 

"  What's  your  name  ?"  asked  Buttons. 
"MaffeoClolo." 
"From  where?" 
"  Urbiiio." 

"  Were  yon  ever  in  America?" 
"  No,  SiRnorc." 

"  What  docs  ho  say  ?"  asked  the  Senator,  im- 
patiently. 

"  Ho  savs  'lis  name  is  Mr.  Cloto,  and  ho  was 
never  in  America." 

"  How  did  you  get  these  tunes?" 
"Out  of  my  organ,"  said  the  Italian,  grin- 
ning. 

"  Of  course  ;   hut  how  did  you  hap;<cn  to  yet 
an  organ  with  such  tunes?'' 
"  I  lioiifilit  it." 

"  0\\  yes ;  but  how  did  you  hap])cn  to  buy 
one  with  these  tunes?'' 

'■  For  you  illustrious  American  Signoro.  You 
all  like  to  hear  them." 

"  Do  you  know  any  thing  about  tlio  tunc?" 
"Signore?" 

"  Do  you  know  what  the  words  arc  ?" 
"  Oh  no.     I  am  an  Italian." 
"  I  suppose  you  make  money  out  of  them." 
"I  make  more  in  a  day  with  these  than  I 
loiild  in  a  week  with  other  tunes." 
"  You  lay  uji  money,  I  suppose." 
'•Oil  yes.     In  two  years  I  will  retire  and  let 
my  yniinger  brother  play  here." 
"  These  tunes?'' 
"  Yes,  Signoro." 
"  To  Americans?"' 
"  Yes,  Signoro." 

"  What  is  it  nil?"  nsked  the  Senator. 
"  He  says  that  he  finds  he  makes  money  by 
playin;;  American  tunes  to  Americans.'' 

'•  Hm,"  said  the  Senator,  with  some  displeas- 
nre  ;  "and  he  has  no  soul  then  to  sec  the — the 
licauty,  the  sentiment,  the  grandeur  of  his  vo- 
cation I" 

•■  Xot  a  bit— he  only  goes  in  for  money." 
TliC  Senator  tnrned  away  in  disgust.      "  Yan- 
kee Doodle,''  he  mnrmiired,  "  ought  of  itself  to 
have  a  refining  and  convening  intliien.e  on  the 


CHAITER  XXII. 

now  A  nxROAiN  IS  MAiiB.— Tnc  wii.M  or  THl 

ITALIAN  TKAUEIISIAS.  —  TUI  NAKRII  StrLKT 
neoOAH,  AND  Till  JOVIAL  WBLL-CI.AD  DBU- 
0A8.— WUO  It  TU«  KINO  Or  BMOOAP.S  » 


yes — too  debased." 


"  What  are  you  IhinkinR  aboat,  Buttons  ?' 
"Well,  Dick,  to  tell  the  truth,  I  have  U.n 
tliinkin;(  (hat  if  I  do  find  ihs  Spaniards  they 
won't  have  reason  to  I>o  particularly  j)roud  of 
mo  as  a  companion.     Look  at  me." 

"  1  look,  and  to  bo  frank,  my  dear  hoy,  I 
must  lay  that  you  look  more  •habhy-gcntcel 
than  otherwise." 

"That's  the  result  of  travelling  on  one  luie 
of  clothes — without  considering  fighting.  I 
givo  up  my  theory." 

"  Givo  it  up,  then,  and  come  out  as  a  butter- 
fly." 

"Friend  of  my  soul,  the  die  is  cast.  Come 
for'U  with  me  and  seek  a  clothing-store." 

It  was  not  difficnit  to  find  one.  'I  hey  en- 
tered tho  first  one  that  they  saw.  The  polite 
Uoman  overwhelmed  them  with  attention. 
"  Show  mo  n  coat,  Signore." 
Signoro  sprung  nimbly  nt  tho  shelves  and 
brought  down  e\cry  coat  in  his  store.  Buttons 
picked  out  one  that  suited  his  fancy,  and  tried 
it  on. 

"What  is  the  price?" 

With  a  profusion  of  explanation  and  descrip- 
tion the  lioman  informed  him:  "Forty  pias- 
tres." 

"  I'll  givo  yon  twelve,"  said  Buttons,  quietly. 
The  Italian  smiled,  put  his  head  on  one  side, 
drew  down  the  corners  of  his  mouth,  and  throw 
up  his  shoulders.  This  is  tho  thmr;.  Tho 
shrug  requires  si)ccial  attention.  The  shrug  is 
a  gesture  used  by  the  Latin  race  for  expressing 
a  multitude  of  things,  both  objectively  and  sub- 
jectively. It  is  a  language  of  itself.  It  is,  as  . 
circumstances  require,  a  noun,  adverb,  pronoun, 
verb,  adjective,  preposition,  interjection,  con- 
junction. Yet  it  does  not  supersede  the  spoken 
language.  It  comes  in  rather  when  spoken 
words  are  nseless,  to  convey  intensity  of  moan- 
ing or  delicacy.  It  is  not  taught,  but  it  is 
learned. 

Tho  coarser,  or  at  least  blunter,  Teutonic 
race  have  not  cordially  adopted  this  mode  of 
human  intercommunication.  Tho  advantage 
of  the  shrug  is  that  in  one  slight  gesture  it  con- 
tains an  amount  of  meaning  which  otlierwiso 
would  require  many  words.  A  good  shrupgcr 
in  Italy  is  admired,  just  as  a  good  conversation- 
ist is  in  England,  or  a  pood  stump  orator  in 
America.  When  the  merchant  shru^'ged.  But- 
tons understood  him  and  said  : 

"You  refuse?     Then  I  go.     Behold  me  !" 
"  Ah,  Signore,  how  can  you  thus  endeavor  to 
take  advantage  of  the  necessities  of  the  poor?" 

"  Signore,  I  must  buy  according  to  my  abil- 
ity." 

inc  iirkiiiin  i.^itgncG  long  riTm  qiuctiy.      'ino 
idea  of  an  Englishman  or  American  not  having 
much  money  was  an  exquisite  piece  of  humor. 
"Go  not,  Signore.     Wait  a  little.     Let  mo 


TIIE  DODGE  CLUB;  OH,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


] 


unfold  more  Rarment*.  Deholtl  tliis,  nnd  this. 
You  shall  have  many  of  my  goods  for  twelve 
piastres. " 

"No,  SiKiiorc;  I  must  havu  this,  or  I  will 
have  none." 

"  You  are  very  hard,  Signore.  Think  of  my 
necessities.  Think  of  the  pressure  of  this  pres- 
ent war,  which  wo  poor  miserable  tradesmen 
feel  most  of  all." 

"Tlien  addio,  Sijrnore;  I  must  depart." 
They  wont  out  and  walked  si\  paces. 
"  P-s-s-s-»-8-s-s-»-s-t !"     (Anothei  little  idea 
of  the  Latin  race.     It  is  a  much  more  penetrat- 
ing sound  than  a  loud  Hallo!     Ladies  can  nse 
it.     Children  too.     This  would  be  worth  im- 
porting to  America.) 
"  P-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-t !" 

Buttons  and  Dick  turned.     The  Italian  stood 
■miling  and  bowing  and  beckoning. 
"  Take  it  for  twcnty-four  piastres." 
"No,  Signore  ;  I  can  only  pay  twelve." 
With  a  gesture  of  ruffled  dignity  the  shop- 
keeper withdrew.      Again  they  turned  away. 
They  had  scarcely  gone  ten  paces  before  the 
shop-keeper  was  after  them  : 

"  A  thousand  pardons.  But  I  have  concluded 
to  take  twenty." 

"No;  twelve,  and  no  more." 

"  But  think,  Signore;  only  think." 

"I  do  think,  my  friend  ;  I  do  think." 

■-•nj  c:s::ict:il. 

"No,  Signore." 
"Se>   iiteen." 
"Twelve." 

"  H«re.     Come  back  with  me." 
E 


They  obeyed.  The  lulian  folded  the  coat 
neatly,  tiod  it  carefully,  stroked  the  parcel  ten- 
derl",  and  with  a  meek  yet  sad  imilo  handed  it 
to  Buttons. 

"  Tlioro — only  sixteen  piastres." 

Buttons  had  taken  out  hi.H  pune.  At  this  he 
hurriedly  replaced  it,  with  an  air  of  vexation. 

"  I  can  only  give  twelve." 

"  Oh,  Signore,  bo  generoos.  Thmk  of  my 
struggles,  my  expensea,  roy  family.  You  will 
not  force  me  to  lose." 

"  I  v/ould  scorn  to  force  you  to  any  thing, 
and  therefore  I  will  depart." 

"  Sti>|>,  Signore,"  cried  the  Italian,  detaining 
them  at  the  door.  "  I  consent.  You  may  take 
it  for  fourteen." 

"  For  Heaven's  sake,  Buttons,  take  it,"  said 
Dick,  whoso  patience  was  now  completely  ex- 
hausted.    "Take  it." 

"Twelve,"  said  Buttons. 

"Let  me  pay  the  extra  two  dollars,  for  my 
own  peace  of  mind,"  said  Dick. 

"Nonsense,  Dick.  It's  the  principle  of  the 
thing.  As  a  member  of  the  Dodge  Club,  too, 
I  could  not  give  more." 

"Thirteen,  good  Signore  mine,"  said  the 
Italian  piteously. 

"  My  friend,  I  have  given  my  word  that  I 
would  pay  only  twelve.'' 

"  Your  word  ?     Your  pardon,  but  to  whom  ?" 

"  To  you." 

"Oh,  then,  how  gladly  I  release  you  from 
your  word  I" 

"  Twelve,  Signop",  or  I  go," 

"  I  can  not." 

Buttons  turned  away.  They  walked  along 
the  street,  and  'it  length  arrived  at  another 
clothier's.  Just  as  they  stepped  in  a  hand  was 
laid  on  Buttons's  shoulder,  and  a  voice  cried 
out — 

"  Take  it !     Take  it,  Signore!" 

"  Ah  !     I  thought  so !     Twelve  ?" 

"Twelve." 

Buttons  paid  the  money  and  directed  where 
it  should  bo  sent.  He  found  out  afterward  that 
the  price  which  an  Italian  gentleman  would 
pay  was  about  ten  plasties. 

There  is  "o  greater  wonder  than  vho  patient 
waiting  of  an  Italian  tradesman  in  pursuit  of  a 
bargain.  The  flexibility  of  the  Italian  con- 
science and  imagination  under  such  circum- 
stances is  truly  astonishing. 

Dress  makes  a  difference.  The  very  expres- 
sion of  the  face  changes  when  one  has  passed 
from  shabbiness  into  elegance.  After  ButtoUH 
had  dressed  himself  in  his  gay  attire  his  next 
thought  was  what  to  do  with  his  old  clothes. 

"  Come  and  let  us  dispose  of  them." 

"  Disjiose  of  them  !" 

"  Oh,  I  mean  get  rid  of  them.  I  saw  a  mnji 
crouching  in  a  comer  nearly  naked  as  I  came 
r.j>.  l<c:  Us  ^OaiidBci::  li  no  cau  fiud  iiiui.  id 
like  to  try  the  effect." 

They  went  to  the  place  where  the  man  had 
been  seen.  He  was  there  still.  A  young  man, 
in  excellent  health,  brown,  muscular,  lithe.    Ht 


C4 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


had  an  old  coverlet  aronnd  his  loins — that  was 
all.     He  looked  up  siilkilv. 
"Are  you  not  cold  ?" 
"  No,"  he  blurted  out,  »nd  turned  rwbv. 
"  A  boor,"  said  Dick.     "  Don't  throw  away 
your  charity  on  him." 
"  Look  here." 
The  man  looked  up  lazily. 
"  Do  you  want  some  clothes?" 
No  reply. 

"I've  got  some  here,  and  perhaps  will  give 
them  to  you.'' 

The  man  scrambled  to  his  feet. 
"  Confound  the  fellow  I"  said  Dick.     "  If  ho 
don't  want  them  let's  find  some  one  who  docs." 
"  Look  here,"  said  Buttons. 
lie  unfolded  hib  parcel.     The  fallow  looked 
indifferently  at  the  things.  j 

"  Here,  take  this,"  and  he  oifered  the  panta- 
loons. 

The  Italian  took  them  and  slowly  put  them 
on.  This  done,  hestretched  himself  and  yawned. 
"Take  this." 
It  was  his  ve.it. 

The  mun  took  the  vest  and  put  it  on  with 
equal    s(in7  froid.      Again   he   yawned    and 
siretclicd  himself. 
"Here's  a  coat." 

Buttons  held  it  out  to  the  Italian.  The  fel- 
low took  it,  sur^-yed  it  closely,  felt  in  the  pock- 
ets, and  examined  very  critically  the  stiffening 
of  the  collar.  Finally  he  put  it  on.  He  but- 
toned it  closely  around  him,  and  passed  his  fin- 
gers through  his  matted  hair.  T!ien  he  felt  the 
pockets  once  more.  After  which  ho  yawned 
long  and  solemnly.  Tiiis  done,  he  looked  ear- 
nestly at  Buttons  and  Dick.  He  saw  that  they 
had  nothing  more.  Upon  which  he  turned  on 
his  heel,  and  without  saying  a  word,  good  or 
bad,  walked  off  «ith  immense  strides,  turned  a 
corner,  and  was  out  of  sight.  The  two  philan- 
thropists were  left  staring  at  one  another.  At 
last  they  laughed. 

"That  man  is  an  original,"  said  Dick. 
"Yes,  and  there  is  another,"  said  Buttons. 
As  he  spoke  he  pointed  to  the  flight  of  stone 
steps  that  goes  up  from  the  Piazza  di  Spagna. 
Dick  looked  up.     There  sat  The  Beggar ! 

AXTONIO! 

Legless,  hatless,  but  not  by  any  means  penni- 
l-^ss,  king  of  Koman  l)eggnrs,  with  a  Kuropean 
reputation,  unequalled  in  his  own  profession — 
there  sat  the  most  scientific  beggar  that  the 
world  has  evei  seen. 

lie  had  watched  the  recent  proceedings,  and 
caught  the  gl.-nce  of  the  young  men. 

As  they  looked  up  his  voice  came  clear  and  ' 
sonorous  through  the  air ; 

"O  most  generous— O  most  noble— 0  most 
illustrious  youths— Draw  near— Look  in  pity 
upon  the  abiect— Behold  legless,  armless,  help- 
less, the  beggar  Anlonio  forsaken  of  Heaven— 

V.;)t.  fljrt  |;iv/»  ;;f  tho  Virrrin V.-.r  t!;.-  s-V.-.  .-.C  ;!... 

saints  —  In  the  name  of  humanity  —  Date  me 
nno  mezzo  baioccho — Sono  poooooooooovcro — 
Miseraaaaaaaaaabil'    -  Dcspcrrrraannaaaado '." 


CHAPTER  XXHL 


THE  MANIFOLD  LlfB  OF  THE  CAFF,  NrOVO,  ASH 
HOW  TUEY  KECEIVED  THE  NEWS  ABOUr  .MAGEN- 
TA. —  EXCITEMENT.  —ENTHUSIASM.— TEAU8.— 
EMBRACES. 

All  modern  Rome  lives  in  the  Cafe'  Nuoto. 
If  was  once  a  palace.  Lofty  ceilings,  glitter- 
ing walls,  marble  pavements,  countless  tables, 
lu.\urious  couches,  immense  mirrors,  all  dazzle 
the  eye.  The  hubbub  is  immense,  the  confu- 
sion overpowering. 

I  The  European  mode  of  life  is  not  bad.  Lodg- 
I  ings  in  roomy  apartments,  where  one  sleeps  and 
attends  to  one's  private  affairs  ;  meals  altogeth- 
er at  the  cafe'.  There  one  invites  one's  friends. 
No  delay  with  dinner  ;  no  badly-cooked  dishes ; 
no  stale  of  gour  bread ;  no  timid,  overworn 
wife  trembling  for  tha  result  of  new  experiments 
in  housekeeping.  On  the  contrary-,  one  has: 
prompt  meals;  exquisite  food  ;  delicious  bread; 
polite  waiters;  and  happy  wife,  with  plenty  of 
leisure  at  home  to  improve  mind  and  adoiii 
body. 

The  first  visit  which  the  Club  paid  to  tho 
Cafe'  Nuovo  was  an  eventful  one.  News  had 
just  been  received  of  the  great  strife  at  Magenta. 
Every  one  was  wild.  The  two  Gnhgnani's  had 
been  appropriated  by  two  Italians,  who  were 
surrounded  by  forty-seven  frenzied  Englishmen, 
all  eager  to  get  hold  of  the  papers.  The  Ital- 
ians  obligingly  tried  to  read  the  news.  The 
wretched  mangle  which  they  made  of  the  lan- 
guage, the  impatience,  the  excitement,  and  the 
perplexity  of  the  audience,  combined  with  tho 
splendid  self-complacency  of  the  readers,  formed 
a  striking  scene. 

The  Italians  gathered  in  a  vast  crowd  in  one 
of  the  billiard-rooms,  where  one  of  their  num- 
ber, mounted  on  a  table,  was  reading  with  ter- 
rific volubility,  and  still  more  terrific  gesticula- 
tions, a  private  letter  from  a  friend  at  Jlilan. 
"  Bravo  1"  cried  all  present. 
In  pronouncing  which  word  the  Italians  rolled 
the  "r"  so  tumultuously  that  the  only  audible 
sound  was — 

B-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-i-.r-r-r-r-r-r-r-ah! 
Like  tho  letter  B  in  a  railway  train. 

The  best  of  all  was  to  see  the  Frcnfh.  Thcv 
were  packed  in  a  dense  mass  at  the  furthest  ex- 
;  trcinity  of  the  Grand  Saloon.  Every  c.ie  was 
\  talking.  Every  one  was  describing  to  his 
neighbor  the  minute  particulars  of  the  tremen- 
dous contest.  Old  soldiers,  hoarse  with  ex- 
citement, emulated  the  volubility  of  younger 
ones.  A  thousand  arms  waved  energetically  in 
the  air.  Every  one  was  too  much  interested  in 
his  own  description  to  heed  bis  neighbor.  They 
were  all  talkers,  no  listeners. 

A  few  Germans  were  there,  but  they  sat  for- 
saken and  neglected.  Even  the  waiters  for- 
sook them.  So  they  smoked  the  cigars  of  sweet 
and  bitter  I'ancy,  occasimially  conversing  in  thick 
guiLurai.^.  it  ;vas  eviUCut  tiiai  iiicy  cuiisideiud 
the  present  occasion  as  a  combined  crow  of  tho 
whole  Latin  race  over  the  German.  So  thcr 
looked  on  with  impassive  faces. 


THE  DODGE  CLU3 ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


Ca 


>I«WS  OF  maoentaI 


Pcrlinps  the  most  stolid  of  all  was  Meiiiheer 
Scliatt,  who  smoked  and  sipped  coffee  alternate- 
ly, stopping  after  each  sip  to  look  around  with 
wild  surprise,  to  stroke  his  forked  beard,  and 
to  ejaculate — 

"  Gr-r-r-r-r-r-acious  mc !" 

Him  'he  Senator  saw  and  accosted,  who, 
making  oom  for  the  Senator,  conversed  with 
much  animation.  After  a  time  the  others  took 
seats  near  them,  and  formed  a  neutral  party. 
At  this  moment  a  small-sized  (;entleman  with 
black  twinkling  eyes  came  rushing  past,  and 
burst  into  the  thick  of  the  crowd  of  Frc.ichmen. 
At  tlio  siglit  of  him  Buttons  leaped  up,  and 
cried : 

"  Tliere's  Francia !     I'll  catch  him  now !" 

Francia  shouted  a  few  words  which  set  the 
Frenchmen  wild. 

"The  Allies  have  entered  Milan!  A  Jis- 
patch  has  just  arrived  !" 

There  burst  a  shrill  yell  of  triumph  from  the 
insane  trenehmen.  There  was  a  wild  rushing 
to  and  fro,  and  the  crowd  swayed  backward  and 
forwar.t.  'I'lio  Italians  came  pouring  in  from 
the  other  room.     One  word  was   sufficient  to 


tell  them  all.  It  was  a  great  sight  to  see.  On 
each  individual  the  news  produced  a  different 
effect.  Some  stood  still  as  though  petrified  ; 
others  flung  up  their  arms  and  yelled ;  others 
cheered  ;  others  upset  tables,  not  knowing  what 
they  were  doing ;  others  threw  themselves  into 
one  another's  arms,  and  p'nbraccd  and  kissed  ; 
others  wept  for  joy: — thesv.  last  were  Milanese. 
Buttons  was  trying  to  find  Francia.  The 
rush  of  the  excited  crowd  bore  him  away,  and 
his  efforts  were  fruitless.  In  fact,  when  he  ar- 
rived at  the  place  where  that  gentleman  had 
been,  he  was  gone.  The  Germans  began  to 
look  more  uncomfortable  than  ever.  At  Icngtii 
Meinheer  Schatt  proposed  that  they  should  all 
go  in  a  boiiv  to  the  Cafe'  Scacchi.  So  thov  all 
left. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

CHECKMATE  ! 

The  Cafe  Scacchi,  as  its  name  implies,  is  de- 
voted to  chess.  Germans  |iatronize  it  to  a  great 
extent.  Politics  du  not  enter  into  the  precincts 
sacred  to  Caissa. 


66 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLnC. 


After  they  had  been  seated  abont  an  hour 
Buttons  entered.  He  had  not  been  able  to  find 
Francia.  To  divert  his  melancholy  he  proposed 
that  Mcinheer  Schatt  should  play  a  game  of 
clioss  with  the  Senator.  Now,  chess  was  the 
Senator's  hobby.  He  claimed  to  be  the  best 
plnyer  in  his  State.  With  a  patronizing  smile 
he  consented  to  play  with  a  tyro  like  Meinheer 
Schatt.  At  the  end  of  one  game  Meinheer 
Schatt  stroked  his  beard  and  meekly  said — 

"  Gr-r-r-acjons  mo.'"' 

The  Senator  frowned  and  bit  his  lips.  He 
was  checkmated. 

Another  game.  Meinheer  Schatt  played  in 
u  calm,  and  some  "li^ht  say  a  stupid,  manner. 

"  Gr-r-r-acious  me!" 

It  was  a  drawn  game. 

Another:  this  was  a  very  long  game.  The 
Senator  played  laboriously.  It  was  no  use. 
Slowly  and  steadily  Meinheer  Schatt  won  the 
game. 

Wlion  ho  uttered  his  usual  exclamation  the 
Senator  felt  strongly  inclined  to  throw  the  board 
lit  his  head.  However,  he  restrained  himself, 
iind  they  commenced  another  game.  Much  to 
Lis  delight  the  Senator  beat.  He  now  began 
to  explain  to  Buttons  exactly  why  it  was  that 
ho  had  not  beaten  before.  • 

Another  game  followed.  The  Senator  lost 
woefully.  His  defeat  was  in  fact  disgraceful. 
When  Meinheer  Schatt  said  the  ominous  word 
the  Senator  rose,  and  was  so  overcome  with  vex- 
ation that  he  had  not  the  courtesy  to  say— Good- 
night. 

As  they  passed  out  Meinheer  Schatt  was  seen 
staring  after  them  with  hi*  large  blue  eyes, 
stroking  his  beard,  and  whispering  to  himself — 

"  Gr-r-r-acious  mo !" 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

BtJTTONS  A  MAN  OP  ONB  TDEA.— niCK  AND  HIS 
MEASURINO  TAPE.— DARK  ETES. — 8U8CEITIBLB 
HEART.— TOCNO  MAIDEN  WHO  LIVES  ^JUT  OP 
TOWN.— GRAND  COLLISION  OF  TWO  ABSTRACTSD 
LOVERS  IN  THE  PUBLIC  STREETS. 

Too  much  Uame  can  not  be  given  to  Buttons 
tor  his  behavior  at  this  period.  He  acted  aa 
though  the  whole  motive  of  his  existence  was 
to  find  the  Francias.  To  this  he  devoted  his 
days,  and  of  this  he  dreamed  at  night.  He  de- 
serted his  friends.  Left  to  themselves,  without 
his  moral  influence  to  keep  them  together  and 
give  aim  to  their  efforts,  each  one  followed  his 
own  inclination. 

Mr.  Figgs  spent  the  whole  of  his  time  in  the 
Cafe  Nuovo,  drawing  out  plans  of  dinners  for 
each  successive  day.  The  Doctor,  after  sleep- 
ing till  noon,  lounged  on  the  Pincian  Hill  till 
evening,  when  he  joined  Mr.  Figgs  at  dinner. 
The  Senator  explored  every  nook  and  corner  of 
Rome.  At  first  Dick  accompanied  him,  but 
gradually  tlicy  diverged  from  one  another  in 
different  paths.  The  Senator  visited  cverv 
[dace  in  the  city,  peered  into  dirty  houses,  exam- 
ined pavements,  investigated  fountains,  stared 
hard  at  the  beggars,  and  looked  curiously  at 
the  Swiss  Guard  in  the  Pope's  Palace.  He 
soon  became  known  to  the  lower  classes,  who 
recognized  with  a  grin  the  tall  foreigner  that 
shouted  queer  foreign  words  and  mado  funny 
gestures. 

Dick  lived  among  churches,  palaces,  and  ru- 
ins. Tired  at  length  of  wandering,  he  attached 
himself  to  some  artists,  in  whose  studios  he 
passed  the  greater  part  of  his  afternoons.  Ho 
became  personally  acquainted  with  nearly  everv 
member  of  the  fratemitj-,  to  whom  he  endeared 
himself  by  the  excellence  of  his  tobacco,  and 
his  great  capacity  for  listening.  Your  talkative 
people  bore  artists  more  than  any  others. 

"What  a  lovely  girl!  What  a  look  she 
gave  I " 

Such  was  the  thought  that  burst  upon  the 
soul  of  Dick,  after  a  little  visit  to  a  little  church 


IIEFOUE  AND  \rttm. 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OB,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


6T 


that  Roes  by  the  name  of  Saint  Somebody  ai  forth  a  gold  piece  of  about  twenty  dollars  value. 
ijuattri  fontani.  lie  had  visited  it  simply  be-  He  held  it  out.  The  priest  stared  at  him  with 
causo  he  had  heard  that  its  dimensions  exactly  \  a  look  that  was  appalling, 
correspond  with  those  of  each  of  the  chief  piers  "  If  you  know — "  faltered  Dick — "  any  one — 
th.1t  support  the  dome  of  Saint  Peter's,  As  he  of  course  I  don't  mean  yourself— fur  from  it — 
wished  to  be  accurate,  he  liad  taken  a  tape-line,  i  but — that  is — " 

and  began  stretching  it  from  the  altar  to  the  1  "Sir,"  cried  the  priest,  "who  are  you?  Are 
door.  The  astonished  priests  at  first  stood  par-  '  there  no  bounds  to  your  impudence  ?  Have 
nlyzed  hy  his  sacrilcj^ious  impudence,  out  final-  yon  come  to  insult  me  because  I  am  a  priest, 
ly'  after  a  corsultation,  they  come  to  him  and  '  and  therefore  can  not  revenge  myself?  Away !" 
ordered  liim  to  be  gone.  Dick  looked  up  with  |  The  priest  choked  with  rage.  Dick  walked 
mild  wonder.     They  indignantly  repeated  the   out.     Bitterly  he  cursed  his  wretched  stupidity 


order. 

Dick  was  extremely  sorry  that  he  had  given 
offense.  Wouldn't  they  overlook  it?  Ho  was 
a  stranger,  and  did  not  know  tliat  they  would 
bo  unwilling.     However,  pince  he  had  begun. 


that  had  led  him  to  this.  His  very  ears  tingled 
with  shame  as  ho  saw  the  full  extent  of  the  in- 
sult that  he  had  offered  to  a  priest  and  a  gen- 
tleman. Ho  concluded  to  leave  Rome  at  once. 
But  at  the  very  moment  when  he  had  mada 


lie  supposed  they  would  kindly  permit  him  to  tliis  desperate  resolve  he  sa  iv  gome  one  coining. 
finisli.  A  vhirp  thrill  went  through  his  heart. 

— "They  would  kindly  do  no  such  thing,"  ,  It  was  She!  She  looked  at  him  and  glnnced 
remarked  one  of  tlie  priests,  brusquely.  "Was  modestly  away.  Dick  at  once  walked  up  to 
their  church  a  common  stable  or  a  wine-shop    her. 

tliat  he  should  presume  to  molest  them  at  their  I  "Signorina,"  said  he,  not  thinking  what  a 
services  ?  If  he  had  no  religion,  could  he  not  serious  thing  it  was  to  address  an  Italian  maiden 
liavo  courtesy ;  or,  if  he  had  no  fnith  himself,    in  the  streets.     But  this  one  did  not  resent  it. 


could  he  not  respect  the  faith  of  others 

Dick  fell  abashed.  The  eyes  of  ail  aie  wor- 
gliipers  were  on  him,  and  it  wns  while  rolling 
up  his  ta))0  that  his  eyes  met  the  glance  of  a 
beautiful  Italian  girl,  who  was  kneelinj;  oppo- 
site. The  noise  had  disturbed  her  devotions, 
and  she  had  turned  to  see  what  it  was.  It  was 
a  thrilling  glance  from  deep  black  lustrous  orbs, 
in  which  there  was  a  soft  and  melting  languor 
which  he  could  not  resist.     He  v/ent  out  daz- 


She  looked  up  and  smiled.  "  What  a  smile !' 
thought  Dick. 

•  "  Signorino,"  he  said  again,  and  then  stopped, 
not  knowing  what  to  say.  His  voice  was  very 
tremulous,  and  the  expression  of  his  face  ten- 
der and  beseeching.     His  eyes  told  all. 

"  Signore,"  said  the  girl,  with  a  sweet  smile. 
The  smile  encouraged  Dick. 

"Ehem — I  have  lost  my  way.     I — I — could 
you  tell  me  how  I  could  get  to  the  Pi'azza  del 


zled,  and  so  complijtcly  bewildered  that  he  did    Popolo?     I  think  I  might  find  my  way  hoinu 
not  think  of  waiting.     After  he  had  gone  a  few   from  there." 


blocks  he  hnri-ied  back.     She  had  gone.     How- 
ever,  the  impression  of  her  face  remained. 

He  went  so  often  to  the  little  church  that  the 
priests  noticed  him ;  but  finding  that  he  was 
quiet  and  orderly  they  were  not  offended.  One 
of  them  seemed  to  think  that  his  rebuke  had 
awakened   the   young  foreigner   to  a  sense  of 


The  girl's  eyes  beamed  with  a  mischievous 
light. 

"Oh  yes,  most  easily.  You  go  down  that 
street ;  when  you  pass  four  side-streets  you  turn 
to  the  left — the  left — remember,  and  then  you 
keep  on  till  you  come  to  a  large  church  with  a 
fountain  before  it,  then  you  turn  round  that,  and 


higher  things  ;  so  he  one  day  accosted  him  with    you  see  the  obelisk  of  the  Piazza  del  Popolo." 


much  politeness.  The  priest  delicately  brought 
forward  the  claims  oT  religion.  Dick  listened 
meekly.  At  length  ho  asked  the  priest  if  he 
recollected  a  certain  young  girl  with  beautiful 
face,  wonderful  eyes,  and  marvellous  appearance 
that  was  worshiping  there  on  the  day  that  ho 
came  to  measure  the  church. 

"  Yes,"  said  the  priest,  coldly. 

Could  he  tell  her  name  and  where  she  lived  ? 

"Sir,"  said  the  priest,  "I  had  hoped  that 
you  came  here  from  a  higher  motive.  It  will 
do  you  no  good  to  know,  and  I  therefore  decline 
telling  you." 

Dick  begged  most  humbly,  but  the  priest  was 
inexorable.  At  last  Dick  remembered  having 
heard  that  an  Italian  was  constitutionally  un- 


Iler  voice  was  the  sweetest  that  Dick  had 
ever  heard.  He  listened  as  he  would  listen  to 
music,  and  did  not  hear  a  single  word  that  he 
comprehended. 

"Pardon me, "said he,  "butwouldyou  please 
to  tell  me  again.  I  can  not  remember  all. 
Three  streets?" 

The  girl  laughed  and  repeated  it. 

Dick  sighed. 

"  I'm  a  stranger  here,  and  am  afraid  that  I 
can  not  find  my  way.  I  left  my  map  at  home. 
If  I  could  fin<l  some  one  who  would  go  with  me 
and  show  me." 

He  looked  earnestly  at  her,  but  she  modestly 
made  a  movement  to  go. 

"  Are  you  in  n  great  hurry?"  said  he. 


ii\r^    u:»nn.» 


.«»^i;n.1    *Ka    fvifl      o/^rtlir 


try.     True,  the  priest  was  a   gentleman;    but  "Could  you — a — a — would  you  be  willing— 

perhaps  an  Italian  gentleman  was  different  from  to — to — walk  a  little  part  of  the  way  with  mc, 

nn  Knglish  or  American ;   so  he  put  his  hand  and — show  me  a  very  little  part  of  the  way — 

in  liii  pocket,  and  blushing  violontly,  brought  only  a  very  little?" 


US 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


she  ought  to 
that 


AH  AV  ; 


The  Rirl  soomod  hnlf  to  consent  b'lt  mo(i. 
r«tly  hesitated,  and  a  fuint  fJnsh  itoio  over  licr 

tilCO. 

"Ah  do!"  said  Dick.       He  was   desperate 
"It's  my  only  chance,"  tlioiiKht  he. 
The  gill  soMy  assented  and  walked  on  with 
Inm. 

"I  am  very  much  obliped  to  von  fir  vour 
kindness,"  said  Dick.  "It's  vcrv  hnrd  for  a 
.'tranccr  to  find  his  way  in  Rome." 

"ilnt,  Sifinore,  by  this  fimc  von  onclit  to 
.know  tlie  whole  of  our  citv." 

"What?     How?" 

"Why,  you  have  been  here  three  weeks  at 
lonst. 

"How  do  yon  know?"  and  llic  vonng  man 
Mushed  to  his  eyes.  He  h.»d  Ix-^n  tcllin.'  lies 
and  she  knew  it  all  the  time. 

"  Oh,  I  saw  you  once  in  the  church,  and  I 
have  seen  you  with  that  tall  man.  Is  he  vour 
f.ither?" 


""  ."0,  oiiiv  a  riicnu.  " 

"I  saw  you,"  and  she  shook  her  litth-  head 
tniimphantly,  and  her  eyes  beamed  with  fun 
and  laughter. 


"Any  way,"  thought  Dick, 
understand." 

"And  f'id  you  sco  me  when  I  was  in 
little  church  with  a  measuring  line?" 

The  young  girl  looked  up  at  him,  licr  large 
I  eyes  reading  his  very  soul. 
[      "Did  I  look  at  you?     Why,  I  was  praying  " 
"Ion  looked  at  me,  and  I  have  never  for- 
gotten it." 

Another  glance  as  though  to  assure  herself 
of  Dick  3  meaning.  The  next  moment  her 
eyes  sank  and  her  face  flushed  crimson.  Dick's 
heart  beat  so  fast  that  he  could  not  speak  for 
some  time. 

:  "Signorc,"  said  the  young  girl  at  last,  "when 
you  turn  that  corner  you  will  see  the  Piazza  del 
1  opolo." 

"  Will  you  not  walk  as  far  as  that  corner  '" 
said  Dick. 

"Ah,  t^ifiTiorc,  I  am  afraid  I  will  not  have 
time. 

!  "W'ill  I  never  see  you  again?"  asked  he, 
mournfully.  ' 

"  I  <lo  not  know,  Signore.  Yea  ought  to 
know."  ^ 

A  pause.  Both  had  stopped,  and  Di. k  v.as 
looking  earnestly  at  her,  but  she  was  looking  at 
the  ground.  " 

"  How  car.  I  know  when  I  do  not  know  even 
your  name  ?  Let  me  know  that,  so  that  I  may 
think  about  it." 

"Ah,  how  you  try  to  flatter!  Mv  name  is 
J  ci'ita  Gianti." 

"And  do  you  live  far  from  here?" 
"Yes.     I  live  close  by  the  Basilica  di  San 
1  aolo  fiiori  le  mure." 

"  A  long  distance.     I  was  out  there  onco." 
"I  saw  yon." 
Dick  exulted. 

"IIow  many  times  have  you  seen   mc?     I 
:  have  only  seen  you  once  before." 
"Oh,  seven  or  eight  times." 
"And  will  this  be  the  last?"  said  Di(  k    be- 
seech  ingly.  ' 

"  Signore,  if  I  wait  any  longer  the  gates  will 
be  shut." 

"  Oh,  then,  before  you  go,  tell  me  where  I 
can  find  you  to-morrow.     If  I  walk  out  on  that 
road  will  I  see  you  ?     Will  you  come  in  to-mor- 
row? or  will  you  stay  out  there  and  shall  I  go 
there  ?    Which  of  the  houses  do  vou  live  in  ?  or 
where  can  I  find  you  ?     If  you  lived  over  on  the 
Alban  Hills  I  would  walk  everyday  to  find  yon." 
Dick  spoke  with  ardor  and  imixjtuositv.    'J',.,. 
deep  feeling  which  he  showed,  ami  the  iningled 
eagerness    and    delicacy   which    ho    e.xhibited, 
seemed  not  ofl"cnsive  to  his  companion.      She 
looked  up  timidly. 

"  When  to-morrow  comes  yon  will  bo  think- 
ing of  something  else— or  perli'aps  awav  on  those 
Alban  mountains.  You  will  forget  "alf  about 
me.     WImt  is  fhe  use  of  t  '"  ^     ' 


r,\\: 


-b" 


to  go  now." 

"  Ml  nevcrforgct !"  burst  forth  Dick.  "  Ncv- 
er— never.  Heliove  inc.  On  my  soul ;  and  oh, 
Mo'iioiina,  it  is  not  much  to  ask!" 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OH,  ITALY  IX  MDCCCLIX. 

"Confound  it!" 


01) 


His  nrJor  carried  iiini  awav.  In  tho  broad 
street  he  actually  made  a  gesture  as  tlioiigh  he 
would  take  her  hand.  The  young  pirl  drew 
back  bhishinR  deeply.  She  looked  at  him  with 
a  repri  achful  glance. 

"  Vou  forget—" 

Whereupon  Dick  interrupted  lier  with  innu- 
merable apologies. 

"  You  do  not  deserve  forgiveness.  But  I  will 
forgivo  you  if  you  leave  me  now.  Did  I  not 
tell  you  that  I  was  in  a  hurry  ?" 

"  Will  you  not  tell  me  where  I  can  sec  you 
again  ?" 

"  I  suppose  I  will  bo  w.ilking  out  about  this 
time  to-morrow." 

"  Oh,  Signorina  !  and  I  will  be  at  the  gate." 

"If  you  don't  forget." 

"Would  you  be  angry  if  you  "iw  me  at  tho 
gate  this  evening?" 

"  Yes ;  for  friends  are  going  out  with  me. 
Addio,  ISignore." 

The  young  girl  departed,  leaving  Dick  rooted 
to  the  spot.  After  a  while  he  went  on  to  the 
I'iazza  del  I'opolo.  A  thousand  feelings  agi- 
tated him.  Joy,  triumph,  perfect  bliss,  were 
mingled  with  countless  tender  recollections  of 
the.  glance,  tho  smile,  the  tone,  and  tho  blushes 
of  I'cpita.  lie  walked  on  with  now  life.  So 
abstracted  wa^  his  mind  in  all  kinds  of  delicious 
anticipations  that  he  ran  full  against  a  man  who 
was  lii'rrying  at  full  speed  and  in  equal  abstrac- 
tion in  t"  ipposite  direction.  There  was  a  re- 
coil. Boi'i  fell.  Both  bogan  to  make  apolo- 
gies.    But  suddenly : 

"Whv,  Buttons!" 

"Why,  Dick!" 

"  Where  in  the  world  did  yon  como  from  ?"' 

"  Where  in  the  world  did  you  como  from?" 

"  Wh.'it  are  you  after.  Buttons  J" 

"  Did  you  sec  a  carriage  passing  beyond  tliat 
corner?" 

"  You  must  have  seen  it." 

"Well,  I  dic,n't." 

"  Why,  it  must  have  just  passed  you." 

"  I  saw  none." 


Buttons  hurriedly  left,  and  ran  all  the  way  to 
the  comer,  round  which  he  passed. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

CONSEQrfSCES  OP  BEINO  GALLANT  IN  ITALY, 
WIIEUE  TUERE  AKE  LOVERS,  HUSBANDS,  BKOTIl- 
EU!<,  FATHEK3,  COUSINS,  AND  INNUMEBABLB 
OTIIRII  KEiATIVES  AND  CONNECTIONS,  ALL 
KEADY  WITH  TUB  STILETTO. 

After  his  meeting  with  Pepita,  Dick  found 
it  extremely  difficult  to  restrain  his  impatience 
until  tho  following  evening.  Ho  was  tA  the 
gate  long  before  the  time,  waiting  with  trem- 
bling eagerness. 

It  was  nearly  sundown  before  she  came ;  but 
she  did  come  at  last.  Dick  watched  her  with 
strange  emotions,  murmuring  to  himself  all 
those  peculiar  epithets  which  are  commonly 
used  by  people  in  his  situation.  The  young 
'  girl  was  unmistakably  lovely,  and  her  grace  and 
beauty  might  have  atfcctcd  a  sterner  heart  tlian 
I  Dick's. 

I      "  Now  I  wonder  if  she  knows  how  perfectly 
and  radiantly  lovely  she  is,"  thought  he,  as  she 
looked  at  him  and  smiled. 
i      He  joined  her  a  little  way  from  the  gate, 

"  So  you  do  not  forget." 
j      "  I  forget !     Before  I  spoke  to  yon  I  thought 
of  you  without  ceasing,  and  now  I  can  never 
I  forget  you." 

"  Do  your  friends  know  whore  yon  are  ?"  jlie 
asked,  timidly. 

"  Do  you  think  I  would  tell  them  ?" 

"  Are  you  going  to  stay  long  in  Rome  ?" 

"  I  will  not  go  away  for  a  long  time." 

"  You  are  an  American." 

"  Yes." 

"America  is  very  far  away." 

"But  it  is  easy  to  get  there." 

"  How  long  will  you  bo  in  Rome?" 

"  I  don't  know.     A  very  long  time." 

"  Not  in  the  summer?" 

"  Yes,  in  the  summer." 

"But  the  malaria.  Are  yon  not  afraid  of 
that  ?     Will  your  friends  stay  ?" 

" I  do  not  care  whether  my  fiicnUi  do  or 
not." 

"  But  you  will  be  left  alone." 

"  I  supiioso  so." 

"  But  what  will  you  do  for  company  ?  It  will 
bo  very  lonely." 

"  I  will  think  of  you  all  day,  and  at  evening 
como  to  the  gate." 

"Oh,  Sipnore  !     You  jest  now'" 

"  How  can  I  jest  with  you  ?" 

"You  don't  mean  what  you  sav." 

"IVpita!" 

Pepita    blushed    and    looked    embarrassed. 

i  l^iCiv    iitiu    Ctiiiuu    iiei    uv    iiui    V/illiDLlull     liuiuu  j 

j  but  she  did  not  appear  to  resent  it. 

"You  don't  know  who  I  ^m,"  she  snid  at 
i  List.  "  Why  do  you  pretend  to  be  so  friendly  ?" 
'^     "I  know  that  you   are  Pepit.i,  and  I  don't 


-0 


[i 


THE  DODGE  CLUB;  OB,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLEt 


'i  ! 


<:        I 


want  to  know  any  Uung  more,  c«.pt  one' thing, 
which  I  om  afnud  to  a»k." 

Pepita  quickened  her  pace. 

"Do  not  walk  so  fa^t,  I'epita,"  gaid  Dick 
beseechingly.  .<  Let  the  walk  be  as  long  as 
you  can."  *• 

-.t 'm^"  i"  *a>ke<l  w  slowly  you  would  never 
wt  me  get  home. 

J'l  Ti'*"  ^  ^°"'''  ""''*  *'"'  '^"^'^  'w'slo'v  that 
we  could  spend  a  life-time  on  the  rond  " 

Pepita  laughed.     "That  would  Le  a  Ion- 
time.  o 

It  was  getting  late.  The  sun  was  half-way 
be  ow  the  horuon.  The  sky  was  flaming  with 
Koldeo  l.gh^  which  glanced  dreamily  through 
the  hazy  atmosphere.  Every  thing  was  toned 
dowti  to  soft  beauty.  Of  course  it  was  the  sea-  ! 
son  for  lovers  and  lovers'  vows.     Pepita  walked 


Pepita  siiriek- 
"Away,  Of 


alittle  more  slowly  to  oblige  Dick.    She  uttered   as  f.r  «,  h""," '""  fi"""«'"«"  'ho  '^"'kcd  oul 
an  occasional  murmur  at  their  slow  piS^   t^^^lt:'  P^°"^"  ^''•"  -"^  ^^P^^'  burst. 


fellows,  magnified  by  the  gloom, 
ed. 

"Who  are  you  ?"  cried  Dick 
I'll  shoot  you  all.    I'm  armed. " 

!!  Off,;."  '"^.T  ?^*'  ""*"'  ^n'cniptuouslv. 

,         Off!    cried  Dick,  a.  the  fellow  drew  near". 

»n  ,  .1.''"*    u™'^""  •^'■''"'  ^"P''"  «°  protect  her, 

'  of  hi!.;::?.     "  "'"  "'"'  '"  ""^  bieast-pockel 

"  Who  is  that  with  you?"  said  a  voice 

At  the  sound  of  the  voice  Pepita  uttered  , 
to  liira   ^  ^"^  ^^'""^  ^'"^  •''•  ™*''ed  ul 

"It  is  Pepita,  Luigi  "• 

tlHs?    said  the  man  hoarsely.     "  Whv  are  vob 
so  late?     Who  is  this  man?"        """^  ""^  ^ou 
An  American  gentleman  who  walked  om 


an  occasional  murmur  at  their  slow  progress, 
hut  still  did  not  seem  eager  to  quicken  herpace 
Kvery  step  was  taken  unwillingly  by  Dick,  who 
wanted  to  prolong  the  happy  time. 

Pepitas  voice  was  the  sweetest  in  the  world, 
and  her  soft  Italian  sounded  more  musically 
than  that  language  had  ever  sounded  before 
bho  seemed  happy,  and  by  many  little  signs 
3howed  that  her  companion  wag  not  indifferent 

n^  "qk  ''"'*^'*  ^''^  '*"'""'<i  *o  offer  his 
arm  She  rested  her  hand  on  it  very  gently, 
and  Dick  tremulously  took  it  in  his.  The  little 
hand  fluttered  for  a  few  minutes,  and  then  sank 
■-O  rest. 

.The  sun  had  now  set.     Evening  in  Italy  is  \ 

tndes      There  It  comes  on  gently  and  slowly, 

rnT,rf'rt,"f'"'  •'^  P««=ncefor  hour^ 
and  the  light  will  be  visible  until  very  late.  In 
Italy,  however,  it  is  short  and  abrupt.  Almost 
as  soon  as  the  sun  disappears  the  thick  shad- 
ows come  swiftly  on  and  cover  ever  thing  It 
was  so  nt  this  time.     It  seemed  but  a  moment        ••  re, 

mL^oI     '  rt  -T'  *'''^;''"'«  "■"  ^"'^'"e   sternly.' 

indistinct.      The  clumps  of  trees  grew  black  •  I      "Twin  ^„,      i 

the  houses  and  walls  of  the  city  behh^d  all  faded  '      "  -     '  ."°'.°"1"«  voa  promise." 

into  a  mass  of  gloom.     The  stars  shone  faintly. 

I  here  was  no  moon. 

"  I  will  be  very  late  to-night,"  said  Pepita, 
timidly.  '^     ' 

"  But  are  you  much  later  than  usual  ?" 
"  Oh,  very  much  !" 

"There  !- no  danger,  is  there?     Bat  if  there 
IS  you  are  oufe.     I  can  protect  ^  ou. 
trust  me  ?'' 

"  Yes,"  said  Pepita,  in  a  Iotv  voice.  :  ^lonat 

.     It  was  too  dark  to  see  the  swiftly-changing  j  worsf 

P:^  i^   f '^r."^^^^i^-- -   mel^' ' ''  "^  ^'-"^-^ '  ^^  ^^  ^on 
lently  as  Dick  held  it.     She  did  not  sav  n  wo^ 


ing  into  tears. 

"An  American  gentleman!"  said  Luigi,  with 
a  bitter  sneer.  ■•  Ho  came  to  protect  you,  did 
.0?  Wdl;  we  will  show  him  in  a  few  min- 
utes  how  grateful  wo  arc  " 

sulfo?anTh1s"''''°''"'"^"^  ""'''''"« ''-«>- 
»  !^^aI^'  .'!*""*'"  brother!"  cried  Pepita,  with 
n^  tr\  °\'"y  ^°"'-''°  'be  name  of  the 
Uoly  Mother-he  is  an  honorable  American 
gentleman,  and  he  came  to  protect  me." 
''  Oh  !  wo  know,  and  we  will  reward  him." 
l.uigi!  Luigi!"  moaned  Pepita.  " if  von 
hurt  him  I  will  die!"  ^ 

K  J'f*'  J!"?  !'  *'°""'  *°  'bat?"  said  Luigi, 
b.tterly.    "A  half-hour's  acquaintance,  and  you 

Ricardo."^'"^'  "'  ^"P""'"  «"  ^"'"'^  ^"b 

iSJ  '"'"  ,"°*-     ^  '''"  °°'  fio  a  step  nnicss  vou 
let  him  go."  • 

"Oh,  we  will  let  him  go!" 

"  Promise  me  you  will  not  hurt  him  " 

"Pepita,  go    home!"    cried    her   brother, 


.  Foolish  girl !  Do  you  suppose  we  are  go- 
■ng  to  break  the  laws  and  get  into  trouble? 
JNo,  no.  Come,  go  home  with  Eicardo.  I'm  co. 
ing  to  the  city."  *" 

h„,"'K'.''°K'''i'".''  '""'■"'"'''  """^  J'eP'ta  allowed 
herself  to  be  led  away. 

When  she  was  out  of  sight  and  hearing  Lui- 

gi  approached  Dick.    Amid  the  gloom  Dick  did 

Can  you    not  see  the  wrath  and  hate  -.hat  might  haJc  been 

I  on  his  face,  but  the  tone  of  his  voice  was  pas- 

'  .""""'*'  "'"'  menacing.      He  prepared  for  tho 


m  response.  Dick  stood  still  for  a  moment  and 
begged  her  to  answer  him.  She  made  an  effort 
and  whispered  some  indistinct  syllables  Where- 
upon Dick  called  her  hv  Pvpr^.  on^„»„- 

tnat   he  could  think  of,  and— "iiasry^fbiitl 


"  I  swear — " 

"Pence !    Wo  will  give  you  cause  to  remem- 
ber  her." 

^^  Dick  saw  that  words  and  excuses  were  useless. 
y-i:  :nougi,t  i,.»  i,u„r  had  come.  He  resolved  to 
die  game.    He  hadn't  a  pistol.    His  mnnoeuvro 


"eps!      Exclamations  !     Shouts  '     Thpv  u,nr«  ' ,  r',  T."""'  ■  '7  """"  ""  "  '"*""'    "■*  mnnoeuvn 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


if  he  had  one  he  would  have 
done  more  than  mention  it 
He  would  at  least  have  shoii-n 
it.  He  had  stationed  him 
self  under  a  tree.  The  men 
were  before  him,  Luigi  rush- 
ed at  him  like  a  wild  beast 
Dick  gave  him  a  tremendous 
Mow  between  his  eyes  that 
knocked  him  headlong. 

"You  can  kill  me,"  lie 
shouted,  "but  you'll  find  it 
hard  work !" 

Up  jumped  Luigi,  full  of 
furj-;  half  a  dozen  others 
rushed  simultaneously  at 
Dick.  He  struck  out  two 
vigorous  blows,  which  crash- 
ed against  the  faces  of  two  of 
tham.  The  next  moment  ho 
was  on  tlie  ground.  On  the 
ground,  but  striking  well- 
aimed  blows  and  kicking  vig- 
orously. He  kicked  one  fel- 
low completely  over.  The 
brutal  Italians  struck  and 
kick*^  1  him  in  return.  At 
lasf  .  tremendous  blow  de- 
scended on  his  head,  lie 
sank  senseless. 

When  he  revived  it  was 
intensely  dark.  Ho  was 
covered  with  painful  bruises. 
His  hv,ftd  ached  violently. 
He  could  see  nothing.  He 
arose  and  tried  to  walk,  but 
soon  fell  exhausted.  So  lie 
crawled  closer  to  the  trunk 
of  tlio  tree,  and  groaned  tliere 
in  his  pain.  At  last  he  fell 
into  a  light  sleep,  that  was 
much  interrupted  by  his  suffering. 

He  owoke  at  early  twilight.  He  was  stiff  and 
sore,  but  very  much  refreshed.  His  head  did 
not  pain  so  excessively.  He  heard  the  trickling 
of  water  near,  and  saw  a  brook.  There  he  went 
and  washed  himself.  The  water  revived  him 
greatly.  Fortunately  his  clothes  were  only 
slightly  torn.  After  washing  the  blood  from 
his  face,  and  buttoning  his  coat  over  his  blood- 
stained shirt,  and  brufhing  the  dirt  from  his 
clothes,  he  ventured  to  return  to  the  city. 

He  crawled  rather  than  walked,  often  stop- 
jiing  to  rest,  jind  once  almost  fainting  from  ut- 
ter weakness.  But  at  last  ho  reached  the  city, 
and  managed  to  find  a  wine-cnrt,  the  only  velii- 
cle  that  he  could  see,  which  took  him  to  his 
lodgings.  He  reached  his  room  before  any  of 
the  others  were  up,  and  went  to  bed. 


AN  DITIRBrPnOS 


CHAPTER  XXVn. 

DICK  ON  THE  BICK  LIST.— RAPTITRE  OP  BUTTONS 
AT  MAKINO  AN  IMPORTANT  DI8CO\-ERr. 

Great  was  the  surprise  of  all  on  the  follow- 
ing morning  at  finding  that  Dick  was  confined 
to  his  bod.  All  were  very  anxious,  and  even 
Buttons  showed  considerable  feeling.  For  as 
much  as  a  quarter  of  an  hour  he  ceased  thinking 
about  the  Spaniards.  Poor  Dick!  What  on 
earth  was  the  matter?  Had  he  fever?  No. 
Perhaps  it  was  the  damp  night-air.  He  should 
not  have  been  out  so  late.  Where  was  he  ?  A 
confounded  pity !  The  Doctor  felt  his  pulse. 
There  was  no  fever.  The  patient  was  vary 
pole,  and  evidently  in  great  pain.  His  com- 
plaint was  n  mystery.  However,  the  Doctor 
recommended  perfect  qu5et,  and  hoped  that  a 
few  days  would  restore  him.  Dick  said  not  a 
word  about  the  evenu  of  the  evening.  He 
iuougiit  ic  would  do  no  good  to  tell  them.  He 
was  in  great  pain.  His  body  was  black  with 
frightful  bruises,  and  the  depression  of  his  mind 
was  as  deep  as  the  pain  of  his  body. 

The   others   went   out  nt  their  usual  hour. 


79 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX 


The  kind-hearted  Senaor  remained  at  homs  all 
day,  and  sat  by  Dick'i  bediide,  lonietimet  ulk- 
ing,  sometimes  reading.  Dick  begged  him  not 
to  put  himself  to  so  moch  inconvenience  on  his 
account ;  but  such  language  was  distasteful  to 
the  Senator. 

*'My  boy," he  said,  "I  know  that  yon  would 
do  as  much  for  me.  Dcsides,  it  is  a  far  greater 
pleasure  to  do  any  thing  for  you  than  to  walk 
about  merely  to  gratify  myself.  Don't  apolo- 
gize, or  tell  me  thnt  I  am  troubling  myself. 
Leave  me  to  do  as  I  please." 

Dick's  grateful  look  expressed  more  than 
words. 

In  a  fe"^  Ms  pain  had  diminished,  and 

it  was  eviUcni.  ihat  ho  would  be  out  in  a  fort- 
night or  80.  The  kind  attentions  of  his  friends 
nffccted  him  greatly.  They  all  spent  more  time 
than  ever  in  his  room,  and  never  came  there 
without  bringing  liim  some  little  trifle,  such  as 
grapes,  omnges,  <  r  other  fruit.  The  Senator 
hunted  all  over  Rome  for  a  book,  and  found 
Victor  Hugo's  works,  which  he  bought  on  a  vent- 
ure, and  had  the  gratification  of  seeing  that  it 
was  ncceptfiblo. 

All  suspected  something.  The  Doctor  had 
concluded  from  the  first  that  Dick  had  met 
with  an  accident.  They  had  too  much  delicacy 
to  question  him,  but  made  many  conjectures 
among  themselves.  The  Doctor  thought  that 
he  had  been  among  -some  ruins,  and  met  with  a 
fall.  Mr.  Figgs  suggested  that  he  might  have 
been  run  over.  The  Senator  thought  it  was 
some  Italian  epidemic.  Buttons  was  incapable 
of  thinking  rationally  about  any  thing  just  then. 
He  was  the  victim  of  a  monomania :  the  Span- 
iards! 

About  a  week  after  Dick's  adventure  But- 
tons was  strolling  about  on  his  usual  quest, 
when  he  wos  attracted  by  a  largo  crowd  around 
the  Chiesa  di  Gesn.  The  splendid  equipages 
of  the  cardinals  were  crowded  about  the  princi- 
pal entrance,  and  from  the  interior  sounds  of 
music  came  floating  magnificently  down.  But- 
tons went  in  to  see  what  was  going  on.    A  vast 


crowd  filled  the  church.  Priests  in  gcrgeont 
vestments  officiated  at  the  high  altar,  which 
was  all  ablaze  with  the  light  of  enormons  wax- 
candles.  The  gloom  of  the  interior  was  height- 
ened by  the  clouds  of  incense  that  rolled  on 
high  far  within  the  vaulted  ceiling. 

The  Pope  was  there.  In  one  of  the  adjoin- 
ing chamber*  ho  was  performing  a  ceremony 
which  sometimes  takes  place  in  this  church. 
Guided  by  instinct.  Buttons  pressed  his  way 
into  the  chamber.  A  number  of  people  filled 
it.     Suddenly  he  uttered  an  exclamation. 

Just  as  His  Holiness  was  rising  to  leave,  But- 
tons saw  the  group  that  had  filled  his  thoughts 
for  weeks. 

The  Spaniards !  No  mistake  this  time.  And 
he  had  been  right  all  along.  All  his  efforts 
had,  after  all,  been  based  on  something  tangi- 
ble. Not  in  vain  had  he  had  so  many  walks, 
runnings,  chasings,  searchings,  strolls,  so  many 
hopes,  feors,  desires,  discouragements.  He  was 
right!  Joy,  rapture,  bliss,  ecstasy,  delight! 
There  they  were  :  Me  little  Don— the  Don.'»a— 
IDA! 

Buttons,  lost  for  a  while  in  the  crowd,  and 
pressed  away,  never  lost  sight  of  the  Spaniards. 
They  did  not  see  bim,  however,  until,  as  they 
sluwly  moved  out,  they  were  stopped  and  greet- 
ed with  astonishing  eagerness.  The  Don  shook 
hands  cordiolly.  The  Donna— that  is,  the  eld- 
er Bister— smiled  sweetly.  Ida  blushed  and 
cast  down  her  eyes. 

Nothing  could  be  more  gratifying  than  this 
reception.  Where  had  he  been  ?  How  long 
in  Rome  ?  Why  had  they  not  met  before  ? 
Strange  that  they  had  not  seen  him  about  the 
city.  And  had  he  really  been  here  three  weeks  ? 
Buttons  informed  them  that  he  had  seen  them 
several  times,  but  at  a  distance.  He  had  be  .n 
at  all  the  hotels,  but  had  not  seen  their  namei. 
Hotels !  Oh,  they  lived  in  lodgings  in  the 
Palozzo  Concini,  not  far  from  the  Piazza  del 
Popolo.  And  how  much  longer  did  he  intend 
to  stay  ?— Oh,  no  particular  time.  His  friends 
enjofcd  themselves  here  very  muck     He  did 


^\ 


POOB  Dies  I 


7.:-: 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLEL 


not  know  exactly  when  they  would  le«Te.  How 
long  would  they  remain  f— They  intended  to 
leave  for  Florence  on  the  following  week.— Ah.l 
He  was  thinking  of  leaving  for  the  lame  place 
at  about  the  same  time.  Whereupon  the  Don 
expressed  a  Jwllte  hope  that  they  might  see  one 
another  on  the  journey. 

By  thii  time  the  crowd  had  diminished. 
They  looked  on  while  the  Pope  entered  his 
state-coach,  and  with  strains  of  music,  and 
prancing  of  hotaes,  and  array  of  dragoons, 
drove  magnificently  away. 

Tho  Don  turned  to  Buttons  :  Would  he  not 
accompany  them  to  their  lodgings  ?  They  were 
just  about  returning  to  dinner.  If  he  were  dis- 
cngogeJ  they  should  be  most  happy  to  bovo  the 
honor  of  his  company. 

Buttons  tried  very  hard  to  look  as  though 

"  he  were  not  mad  with  eagcniess  to  accept  tho 

invitation,  but  not  very  successfully.     Tho  car- 

riase  drove  off  rapidly.     The  Don  ond  Buttons 

on  one  seat,  tho  Indies  on  the  other. 

Then  tho  faco  of  Ida  as  she  sat  opposite.' 
Such  a  faco  !     Such  a  smile  !     Such  witchery 
in  her  expression !     Such  music  in  her  laugh  1 
At  any  rate  so  it  seemed  to  Buttons,  and  that 
is  all  that  is  needed. 

On  tlifough  tho  streets  of  Rome;  past  tho 
posUofflco,  round  tho  column  of  Antoninus,  up 
the  Corso,  until  at  last  they  stopped  in  front  of 
an  immense  edifice  which  had  once  been  .t  pal- 
ace. The  descendants  of  the  family  lived  in  a 
remote  corner,  and  their  poverty  compelled  them 
to  let  out  all  the  remainder  ns  lodgings.  This 
is  no  uncommon  thing  in  Italy.  Indeed,  there 
are  so  many  ruined  nobles  in  the  country  that 
those  aro  fortunate  who  have  a  shelter  over 
their  heads.  Buttons  .remarked  this  to  the 
Don,  who  told  some  stories  of  these  fallen  no- 
bles. IIo  informed  him  that  in  Naples  their 
laundress  was  s^id  to  be  the  last  scion  of  one 
of  tlie  most  ancient  families  in  the  kingdom. 
She  was  a  countess  in  her  own  right,  but  had 
to  work  at  njcnial  labor.  Moreover,  many  had 
sunk  down  to  tho  grade  of  peasantry,  and  lived 
in  squalor  on  lands  which  were  once  the  estates 
of  their  ancestors. 

Buttons  spent  the  evening  thore.  Tho  rooms 
were  elegant.  Boeks  lay  oround  which  showed 
a  cultivated  taste.  Tho  young  man  felt  him- 
self in  a  realm  of  enchantment.  The  joy  of 
meeting  was  heightened  by  their  nnnsual  com- 
plaisance. During  the  evening  ho  found  out 
all  about  them.  They  lived  in  Cadiz,  where 
the  Don  was  a  merchant.  This  was  their  first 
visit  to  Italy. 

They  all  had  fine  perceptions  for  tho  beauti- 
fill  in  art  or  nature,  and,  besides,  a  keen  sense 
of  the  ludicrous.  So,  when  Buttons,  growing 
communicative,  told  them  about  Mr.  Figgs's 
adventure  in  tho  ball  of  St.  Peter's,  thev  were 
grentiy  amused.  He  told  about  the  adventures 
of  all  his  friends.  He  told  of  himself:  all  about 
the  chase  in  Naples  Bay,  and  his  pursuit  of  their 
carriage  from  St.  Peter's.  He  did  not  tell  them 
that  ho  had  done  this  more  than  once.     Ida 


73 

was  amnsed ;  but  Buttons  felt  gratified  at  see- 
ing a  little  confusion  on  her  face,  as  though  she 
was  conscions  of  the  real  cause  of  such  •  per- 
severing pnrsuit.  She  modestly  evaded  his 
glance,  and  sat  at  a  little  distance  from  the 
others.  Indeed,  she  said  but  liitlo  during  the 
whole  evening. 

When  Buttons  left  he  felt  like  a  spiritual  be- 
ing. He  was  not  conscious  of  treading  on  any 
material  earth,  but  seemed  to  float  along  through 
enchanted  air  over  the  streeu  into  his  lodgings, 
and  so  on  into  the  realm  of  dreams. 


CHAPTER   XXVIIL 

WHAT  KIND  OF  A  LBTTEB  THB  8EXAT0R  WROTI 
FOR  TUB  ">(ZW  ESOI.AND  PATRIOT,"  WHICH 
BUOWS  A  TRUE,  LIBERAL,  ITNBIASED,  PLAIN,  DN- 
VARMSHED  VIEW  OF  SOME. 

' '  Dick,  "  said  the  Senator,  as  he  sat  with  him 
in  his  room,  "I've  been  thinking  over  your  tone 
of  mind,  more  particularly  as  it  appears  in  those 
letters  which  yon  write  home,  such  as  you  read 
the  other  day.  It  is  a  surprising  thing  to  mo 
how  a  young  man  with  your  usual  good  sense, 
keenness  of  perception,  and  fine  education  cna 
allow  yourself  to  bo  so  completely  carried  awar 
by  a  mawkish  sentiment.  What  is  the  use  of 
all  these  memories  and  fancies  and  hysterical 
emotions  that  you  talk  about  ?  In  one  placo 
you  call  yourself  by  the  absurd  name  of  '  A 
Pensive  Traveller."  Why  not  be  honest?  Be 
a  sensible  American,  exhibiting  in  your  thought 
and  in  all  your  actions  the  effect  of  democratic 
principles  and  stiff  republican  institutions.  Now 
I'll  read  you  what  I  have  written.  I  think  tho 
matter  is  a  little  nearer  the  mark  than  your 
flights  of  fancy.  But  perhaps  you  don't  care 
just  now  about  hearing  it  ?" 

"  Indeed  I  do ;  so  read  on,"  said  Dick. 
"  A«  I  have  travelled  eonaldenible  In  Italy,"  aald  tha 
Senator,  reading  from  a  paper  which  he  drew  from  hU 
pocket,  •'  with  my  eyes  wide  open,  I  have  some  Idea  of  the 
coiititry  and  of  the  geoerml  condition  of  the  fannina 
class."  ^^ 

The  Senator  stopped.  "  I  forgot  to  say  that 
this  is  for  the  New  England  Patnot,  published 
in  our  village,  you  know." 

Dick  nodded.     The  Senator  resumed  : 

"  The  noil  la  remarkably  rich.  Even  where  there  m 
mountaina  they  are  well  wooded.  So  if  the  flelda  look 
well  it  ia  not  aurpriaing.  What  la  aurprloing  la  the  culti- 
vation. I  aaw  plougha  Buoh  aa  Adam  might  have  used  when 
forced  for  the  first  time  to  turn  up  the  ground  ouulde  tho 
locality  of  Men  ;  harrowa  which  were  probably  Invented 
by  Numa  Pompey,  an  old  Roman  that  people  Ulk  about. 

"  They  haven't  any  Idea  of  draining  clear.  For  here  la 
a  place  called  the  Pontine  Marsh,  beautiful  noil,  surround- 
ed by  a  fettled  countrj-,  and  ytt  they  let  It  icu  to  w;.al<i  al- 
most entlrL-ly. 

"The  Itallaaa  are  laiy.  The  accret  of  their  bad  farm- 
Ins  lies  In  this.  For  the  men  loll  and  amnke  on  the  fences, 
leaving  the  poor  women  to  toil  In  the  flelda.  A  woman 
*"  il'Thi"* ' .  ■^"'^  Tk'  ";*^P*"P'«  "">'  to  •»  free, 
eta.  Many  of  them  wear  wooden  shoei.  the  women  of  the 
south  nse  a  queer  kind  of  outlandish  heaA.dresa,  which  If 
they  spent  less  time  in  fixing  it  would  be  bMter  for  their 
own  worldly  prosperity. 

''The  cattle  are  fine:  very  broad  In  the  chest,  with 
splendid  action.  I  don't  believe  any  ether  country  can 
snow  such  cattle.    Tha  pigs  are  certal:ily  the  best  I  ever  aaw 


74 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCXIX. 


BKETC1IE8  or  A   rU.KM). 


I 


bjalonf-clMlk.  Their  eliop^  bent  »11  erentlon.  A  frlenrt 
of  mine  haa  made  loma  (ketehas  which  I  will  rKo  to  the 
Lycauni  on  my  retuni.  They  exhibit  the  gorreoto  pis  In 
variona  attltudee. 

"  The  horwa,  on  the  eontrary,  are  poor  affaln.  I  hare 
ret  to  eee  the  first  decent  hor»e.  The  animaU  employed 
ly  traveUera  generally  are  the  lowent  of  their  specin.  The 
•hoee  which  the  horses  wear  are  of  a  slugiilar  shape.  I 
ean't  descrlhe  them  la  writing,  but  they  look  more  like  a 
flat-iron  than  any  thing  elrc. 

"  I  paid  a  Tisit  to  Hompeii,  and  on  enming  back  I  mw 
eome  of  the  carta  of  the  country.  They  gave  one  a  denlor- 
able  idea  of  the  sUte  of  the  uaeful  arts  in  lhi«  plHce. 
Sdentiflc  farming  la  out  of  the  question.  If  fine  planta- 
tions are  seen  it's  Nature  does  It. 

"  Vineyards  abound  everywhere.  Wine  is  a  gryat  sU- 
ple  of  the  country.  Yet  Ihey  don't  export  much  after  all. 
In  fact,  the  foreign  commerce  is  comparatively  ti-ifllng. 
ChestnuU  and  olives  are  raised  in  immense  quantities. 
The  chestnut  is  as  essential  to  the  ItalUn  as  the  potato  is 
to  the  Irishman.  A  failure  in  the  crop  is  attended  with 
the  same  diKnatroua  consequences.  They  dry  the  nuts, 
Krind  them  into  a  kind  of  flour,  and  make  them  Intoealtes. 
I  tasted  one  and  found  it  abominable.  Yet  these  people 
eat  it  with  garlic,  and  grow  fat  on  It.  Chestnut  bread, 
oil  Instead  of  butter,  wine  instead  of  tea,  and  you  have  an 
Italinn  meal 

"  It's  a  (5ne  country  for  fruit  I  found  Gaeta  surround- 
ed by  orange  groves.  The  fig  is  an  important  article  In  the 
economy  of  an  Italian  household. 

"I  have  been  in  Rome  three  weeks  Many  people  take 
much  interest  in  this  place,  though  quite  imnecessarlly.  I 
do  not  think  it  is  at  all  equal  to  Boston.  Yet  I  have  taken 
great  pains  to  examine  the  place.  The  streeU  are  narrow  i 
and  crooked,  like  tliose  of  Boston.  They  are  extremely  I 
dirty.  There  are  no  sidewalks.  The  gutter  is  in  the 
middle  of  the  street.  The  people  empty  their  slops  fmm 
their  windows.  The  pavements  are  had  and  very  slippery. 
The  accumulation  of  filth  about  the  ctreeU  is  immense. 
The  dramsge  is  not  good.  They  actually  use  one  old  drain 
whicli,  they  tell  me,  was  made  three  thousand  years 
•go.  ' 

''  Gas  has  only  been  recentlv  introduced.  T  nnitAr>«>nd 
ihiti  a  jear  or  two  ago  me  streets  were  lighted  by  miser- 
able  contrivances,  consisting  of  a  mean  oil  lamp  swung  from 
the  middle  of  a  rope  stretched  across  the  street. 

"The  shops  are  not  worth  mentioning.  There  are  no 
magnificent  Dry^oeda  Sioreg,  such  as  I  liave  seen  hy  the 
haudrod  in  BaMoa:  no  llarUunre  Stona:  no  iiaUtial 


Patent  Mledicina  Edifice*;  no  signs  o*  enterprise,  in  fact, 
at  sll. 

"  The  houses  are  very  uncomfortable.  They  are  large, 
and  built  in  the  form  of  a  square.  People  live  on  separate 
flats.  If  it  is  cold  they  have  to  grin  and  bear  it.  There 
are  no  stoves.  I  hnve  siifflertd  more  from  the  cold  on  some 
evenings  since  I  have  been  here  than  ever  I  did  In-doors  at 
home.  I  have  asked  for  n  fire,  but  all  they  could  give  me 
was  a  poisonous  fire  of  charcoal  in  an  earthen  thing  like  a 
basket 

"  Some  of  the?'  public  buildings  are  good,  but  that  can't 
make  the  populntion  comfortable.  In  fcet,  the  people  gen- 
erally are  ill-cared  for.  Here  are  the  wretched  Jews,  who 
live  in  a  filthy  quarter  of  the  dty  etowded  togetiier  like 
pip. 

"  The  people  pass  the  most  of  their  time  in  coffee-houses. 
They  arean  idle  set — have  nothing  In  the  world  to  do.  U 
is  still  a  mystery  to  me  how  they  live. 

"  The  fact  is,  there  are  too  many  soldiers  and  priests. 
Now  It  is  evident  that  these  gentry,  being  non-proclucer.", 
must  be  supported  dlreetly  or  indirectly  by  the  ppxlncers. 
This  is  the  cause,  I  suppose,  of  the  poverty  of  a  great  paj  t 
of  the  population. 

"  Hegging  is  reduced  to  a  science.  In  this  I  confess  the 
Italian  beats  the  American  all  to  pieces.  The  American 
eye  has  not  seen,  nor  ear  heard,  the  devices  of  an  Italian 
beggar  to  get  along. 

"  I  have  seen  them  In  great  crowds  waiting  ontj-idc  of  a 
monastery  for  their  dinner,  which  consists  of  hiipc  bi)wis 
of  porridge  given  by  the  monks.  Can  any  thing  be  more 
ruinous  to  a  people  f 

"  The  only  trade  that  I  could  discover  after  a  long  and 
patient  search  was  the  trade  In  brooches  and  toys  whicli 
are  l)oiight  as  cnrioeities  by  travellers. 

"  There  are  nothing  but  churches  and  palaces  wlicrever 
yoii  ga  Some  of  these  palaces  are  queer-looking  concerns. 
There  isn't  one  in  the  whole  lot  equal  to  some  of  the  Fiflli 
Avenue  houses  In  New  York  in  point  of  real  genuine  style. 
"There  has  been  ton  much  money  spentln  churches,  and 
too  little  on  houses.  If  it  amounted  to  any  thing  it  would 
not  be  so  bad,  but  the  only  effect  has  been  to  promote  an 
idle  fondness  for  music  and  pictures  and  such  like.     If  they 

tore  do^^n  sins  tfi^^hs  c'  *!'.r'**  r^f'^hr—  -— ^  -..___j  >, 

into  school-houses  on  the  New  Fjigland  system,  it  would 
not  l>e  bad  for  the  rising  generation. 

"The  newspapers  which  they  have  are  miserable  things 
—wretched  little  sheets,  full  of  lies — no  adrertisementa,  no 
news,  no  nothing.  I  got  a  friend  to  translate  for  nin  whnt 
pretended  to  be  the  latest  American  naws.    It  was  a  col- 


THE  DODGE  CLUB }  OB,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


IwUon  of  mardoi,  dn*l«,  nllwsjr  aeeUtati,  and  MMmbnt 


doo't  Me  what  bop*  than  !•  for  thia  unfottanata 
Mantrr ;  I  doot  nally.  Tba  paopla  hart  bom  on  n  looa 
In  tteir  praaant  eoana  thai  Umj  an  noar  about  IncorrtiH. 
bl«.  If  (ha  est!r*  population  vera  to  emigrate  Ut  Ut* 
WaaUrn  SUtca,  and  mix  up  vlth  tha  propla  than,  It  might 
ba  poMible  for  thair  daaeandanu  la  Uia  coorM  of  tima  to 
amount  to  locnathlnf, 

"  I  don't  wa  any  hopa  exeapt  parhapi  In  ooe  plan,  which 
would  b«  DO  doubt  Impouibla  fur  thwe  lazy  and  dreamy 
Itallsai  to  carry  out.  It  la  tbla:  Lat  thii  poor,  broken- 
doirn,  bankrupt  Qoramment  maka  an  Inrentory  of  Ita 
whole  atoek  of  Jawela,  gold,  gcna,pt«turaa,  and  aUluM.  I 
underatand  that  the  noblUty  throughout  l':nropa  would  be 
willing  to  pay  Immenae  loma  of  munry  for  tlieae  ornament*. 
If  they  are  fcoU  enough  to  do  w,  then  In  Ilf  aven'i  name 
let  them  have  the  chance.  Clear  out  the  whole  Hock  of 
rnbbUh,  and  let  the  bard  eaab  coma  in  to  replace  It. 
That  would  ba  a  good  beginning,  with  •oraething  ungiUa 
to  start  ft'om.  I  am  told  tliat  the  omamenta  of  St.  Peter*! 
Cathedral  oort  erer  lo  many  millinna  of  dulUn.  In  the 
name  of  goodneai  why  not  aell  out  (he  atock  and  realize  In- 
itaad  of  laaulog  thoae  ragg.-d  nol«i  for  twcnty-flre  oenU, 
which  cimiate  among  the  people  here  at  a  dlacount  of  about 
aaTenty-ave  per  cent,  t 

"Then  let  them  run  a  railroad  north  to  Florence  and 
•outh  to  Naplea.  It  would  open  up  a  fine  tract  of  country 
which  i<  capable  of  growing  grain;  it  would  up  the  great 
olive-growing  dlatricta,  and  originate  a  Taat  trade  In  oil, 
wine,  and  dried  fruita, 

"Tba  country  around  Roma  la  uninhabil«],  but  not 
barren.  It  la  alckiy  In  aummer-tlme,  but  if  there  waa 
a  population  on  it  who  would  cultirate  it  properly  I  calcu- 
late the  malaria  would  raniah,  Juat  aa  the  fever  and  ague 
do  from  many  Weatem  dintricta  in  our  country  by  the 
same  agencie*.  1  '»lculate  that  reKion  could  be  made  one 
of  the  moat  fertile  on  thla  round  earth  if  occupied  by  an 
induatrloui  eiaaa  of  emtgranta. 

"  But  there  la  a  large  apace  inalde  the  walla  of  the  city 
which  could  be  turned  to  the  beat  of  purpoeea. 

"The  place  which  uaed  to  be  the  Koman  Fomm  la  ex- 
actly calculated  to  be  the  terminua  of  the  railroad  which 
I  have  auggeated.  A  commodliHin  diipAt  could  be  made, 
and  the  door-way  might  be  worked  up  out  of  the  arch  of 
Titu.1,  which  now  itandi  bkMsking  up  the  way,  and  ia  of  no 
earthly  uae. 

"  The  amount  of  crumbling  atonea  and  old  ruined  walla 
that  they  leave  about  thla  quarter  of  the  city  ii  aatoniah- 
ing.    It  ought  not  to  be  aa 

"  What  the  Government  ought  to  do  after  being  put  in 
funda  by  the  prooeaa  mentioDed  above  t*  thla: 

"  The  Qovenunent  ought  to  tear  down  all  thoae  nnaight- 
ly  heapa  of  atone  and  erect  faetoriet  and  Indnatrial  achmda 
There  ia  plenty  of  material  to  do  it  with.  For  inatance, 
Uke  the  old  ruin  called  the  Collaeum.  It  ia  a  fact,  arrived 
at  by  elaborate  calculation,  that  the  entire  contents  of 
that  concern  are  amply  aufBcient  to  conatruct  no  Iraa 
than  one  hundred  and  fifty  handaoma  bctoriea,  each  two 
hundred  feet  by  aeventy.flve. 

"  The  factories  being  built,  they  could  be  devoted  to 
the  production  of  the  finer  tiaaues.  Silka  and  velreU 
could  be  produced  here.  Olaaa-ware  of  all  klnda  could  be 
mode.  There  ia  a  fine  Italian  clay  that  makea  nice  cupj 
aud  crocka.  "^ 

"  I  could  alao  anggeat  the  famont  Roman  cement  aa  an 
additional  article  of  export.  Tli«(:ataeomba  under  the  city 
could  be  put  to  aorae  direct  pniclic  .1  n»e. 

"  I  have  haatily  put  out  these  few  Ideaa  lo  ahow  what  a 
llbenil  and  enlightened  policy  might  effect  even  in  auch 
nn  unpromising  place  aa  Rome.  It  is  not  probable,  how- 
ever, that  my  scheme  would  meet  with  favor  hei-e.  The 
leadlnR  daaaea  in  this  city  are  auch  nn  incurable  set  of  old 
fogiee  that,  I  verily  believe,  rather  than  do  what  I  have 
auggeated,  they  would  chooee  to  have  the  earth  open  beneath 
them  and  awallow  them  up  forever  -city,  churches,  sUtuea, 
pictures,  maaeums,  palaces,  rulna  and  all. 

"I've  got  a  few  other  idea',  some  of  which  wlllworkaome 
day.  Suppoao  Ru«la  should  sell  us  her  p.irt  of  America, 
Spain  soil  ua  Cuba,  Italy  give  us  Rom^  Turkey  an  Island 
or  two-theo what t  But  lU  keep  tlUa  for  another  letter." 

"That's  all,"  said  the  Senator. 

Dick's  face  was  drawn  np  into  the  strangest 
expression.  He  did  not  say  any  thine,  how- 
uvur.  Tile  senator  calmly  folded'  up  his  paper, 
and  with  a  thoughtful  air  took  up  his  hat. 

"I'm  going  to  that  Coliseum  again  to  meas- 
ure a  plaee  I  forgot,"  said  he. 

Upon  which  ho  retired,  leaving  Dick  alone. 


75 
CHAPTER  XXIX. 

THl    U>lin.T    OHI    AHD  HI8    COMFORTSB.— TBV 
TBCB  MBDICIItB   FOB  A  SICK  MAM. 

Dick  was  alon«  in  his  chambv.  Confine- 
ment to  hi*  room  was  bad  enough,  but  what 
was  that  in  comparison  with  the  desolation  of 
sonl  that  afflicted  him  7  Pepita  was  always  in 
his  thoughts.  The  bright  moment  was  alone 
remembered,  and  the  black  sequel  could  not  ef- 
face her  image.  Yet  his  misadrentore  showed 
him  that  his  chances  of  seeing  her  again  were 
extremely  faint.  But  how  could  he  pive  her 
up  ?  They  would  soon  bo  leaving  for  Florence. 
How  could  he  leave  never  to  see  her  again— the 
lovely,  the  sweet,  the  tender,  the—  A  faint 
knock  at  the  dooi . 

"  Come  in,"  said  Dick,  without  rising  from 
his  chair. 

A  female  entered.  She  was  dressed  in  black. 
A  thick  veil  hid  her  features,  but  her  bent  figure 
denoted  age  and  weariness.  She  slowly  closed 
the  door. 

"Is  it  hero  where  a  young  American  lives 
with  this  name  ?" 

Slie  held  out  a  card.  It  was  his  name,  his 
card.  He  had  only  given  it  to  one  person  in 
Kome,  and  that  one  was  Pepita. 

"  Oh  !"  cried  Dick,  rising,  his  whole  expres- 
sion changing  from  sadness  to  eager  and  be- 
seeching hope,  "  oh,  if  yon  know  where  she  is 
—where  I  may  find  her—" 

The  female  raised  her  form,  then  with  a  hand 
that  trembled  excessively  she  slowly  lifted  her 
veil.  It  was  a  face  not  old  and  vninkled  but 
young  and  lovely,  with  tearful  eyes  downcast, 
and  cheeks  suffused  with  blushes. 

With  an  eager  cry  Dick  bounded  from  hia 
chair  and  caught  her  in  his  arms.  Not  a  word 
was  spoken.  He  held  her  in  a  strong  embrace 
as  though  he  would  not  let  her  go.  At  last  he 
drew  her  to  a  seat  beside  him,  still  holding  her 
in  his  arms. 

"  I  could  not  stay  awr.  .  I  led  yon  into  mis- 
fortune. Oh,  how  you  have  suffered !  You 
are  thin  and  wan.  What  a  wretch  am  I! 
When  you  see  me  no  more  will  yon  forsive 
me  ?"  ''  * 

"Forgive  !"  and  Dick  replied  in  a  more  em- 
phatic way  than  words  afford. 

"  They  would  not  let  me  leave  the  house  for 
ten  days.  They  told  me  if  I  ever  dared  to  see 
you  again  they  would  kill  yon.  So  I  knew  you 
were  not  dead.  But  I  did  not  know  how  they 
had  beaten  you  till  one  day  Ricardo  told  me  all. 
To  think  of  you  unarmed  fighting  so  gallantly. 
Four  of  them  were  so  bruised  that  they  have 
not  yet  recovered.  To-day  Lnigi  went  to  Civita 
Vecchia.  He  told  me  that  if  I  dared  to  go  to 
Rome  he  would  send  me  to  a  convent.  But  I 
disobeyed  him.  I  could  not  rest.  I  had  to 
!  come  nnd   see  how    vo'.i    '.vi^rr.    sn:1    t- VA.-' 

adieu — " 

"  Adio"  !  bid  adieu  ?— never.  I  will  not  let 
you." 

"Ah,  now  ton  talk  wildly,"  said  Pepita, 
mournfully,  "for you  know  wo  must  part." 


76 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OK,  ITALY  IN  BIDCOCLIX. 


"We  itull  not  part." 

"I  will  have  to  go  bom«,  and  yoa  can  not 
follow  me." 

"  Oh,  I'epita,  I  can  not  giro  you  up.  Yoa 
ihall  be  mine — now — my  wife — and  como  with 
mo  home — to  America.  And  wo  ilmll  never 
again  have  to  part." 

"  Impodiiblo,"  laid  Popita,  |u  IIr  tear-drope 
fell  from  hor  eyes.     "  Impowihlo  !" 

"  Why  impo««iblo  ?" 

"  Luigi  would  track  us  to  the  end  of  the 
a-orld." 

"  Track  aa !  I  would  like  to  ico  bim  try  it !" 
ericd  Dick  in  a  fury.  "I  have  an  account  to 
totlle  with  him  which  will  not  bo  pleasant  for 
dim  to  pay.  Wlio  ii  ho  to  dure  to  stand  be- 
iwcen  mo  and  you?  As  to  fullowing  me — 
Well,  I  have  already  given  him  a  specimen  of 
what  I  am.  I  would  give  a  year  of  my  life  to 
have  him  alone  for  about  half  an  hour." 

"  You  wrong  him,"  cried  Pepita,  earnestly. 
"  You  wrong  him.  You  must  not  ta'k  so.  lie 
is  not  a  bravo.  lie  is  my  brothci.  lie  has 
been  like  a  father  to  me.  lie  loves  mo  dearly, 
and  my  good  name  is  dearer  to  him  thnn  life. 
IIo  is  BO  good  and  so  noble,  dear  Luigi '.  It 
was  his  love  for  me  that  blinded  him  and  made 


"Is  there  no  hope?" 

"  No — not  now." 

"Not  now?  And  when  will  (here  be?  Can 
it  be  possible  that  you  would  give  mo  pp? 
Then  i  would  not  give  you  up !  If  you  do  not 
love  me  I  must  love  you." 

"Cruel!"  murmured  Peplla. 

"Forgive,"  said  Dick,  penitently.  "Per- 
haps I  am  too  sudden.  If  I  come  back  again 
in  tno  or  three  months  will  you  be  as  hard- 
hearted as  you  are  now  ?" 

"Hard-hearted!"  sighed  Pepita,  tearfully. 
"  You  should  not  reproach  me.  My  trouble* 
are  more  than  I  can  bear.  It  is  no  slight  thing 
that  you  ask." 

"Will  waiting  soften  you?  Will  it  make 
any  difference?     If  I  came  for  yon—" 

"You  must  not  leave  me  so,"  said  Pepita, 
reproachfully.  "  I  will  tell  you  all.  Yon  will  nn- 
deratand  me  better.  Listen.  My  family  is  noble." 

"Noblo!"  cried  Dick,  thunderstruck.  He 
had  certainly  always  thought  her  astonishingly 
lady-like  for  a  peasant  girl,  but  attributed  this 
to  the  superior  refinement  of  the  Italian  race. 

"Yes,  noble,"  said  Pepita,  proudly.  "  Wa 
seem  now  only  poor  ponsnnts.  Yet  once  wo 
were  rich  and  powerful.     My  grandfather  lost 


him  furious.     He  thought  you  were  deceiving    all  in  the  wars  in  tho  time  of  Napoleon,  and 


uj  all,  and  would  not  listen  to  you." 

"  But  if  ho  were  so  noblo  would  ho  have  at- 
tacked  one  unarmed  man,  and  he  at  the  head 
of  a  dozen?" 

"  I  tell  you,"  cried  Pepita,  "you  do  not  know 
him.  IIo  was  so  blinded  by  passion  that  he 
had  no  mercy.  Oh,  I  owe  every  thing  to  him '. 
And  I  know  how  good  and  noble  he  is  I" 

"Pepita,  for  your  sake  I  will  forgive  him 
every  thing." 

"  I  can  not  stay  longer,"  said  Pepita,  making 
an  effort  to  rise. 

"Oh,  Pepita!  you  can  not  leave  mo  for- 
ever." 

Pepita  fell  weeping  into  his  arms,  her  slen- 
der form  convulsed  with  emotion. 

"You  shall  not." 

"  I  mast— thero  is  no  help." 

"  Why  must  you  ?  Can  you  not  fly  with  me  ? 
What  jirevents  you  from  being  mine  ?  Let  us 
go  and  be  united  in  the  little  church  where  I 
saw  you  first." 

"  Impossible  !"  moaned  Pepita. 

"Why?" 

"Because  I  could  not  do  you  such  injustice. 
You  have  your  father  far  away  in  America. 
You  might  offend  him." 

"Bother my  father  !"  cried  Dick. 

Pepita  looked  shocked. 

"  I  mean — he  would  allow  mo  to  do  any  thing 
I  liked,  and  glory  in  it,  because  I  did  it.  He 
would  chuckle  over  it  for  a  month." 

"  Luigi—" 

"  Pepita,  do  you  love  him  better  than  me  ?" 

"  Ko,  but  It  i  leave  him  so  it  would  break 
his  heart.  He  will  think  I  am  ruined.  He 
will  declare  a  vendetta  against  you,  and  follow 
you  to  the  end  of  the  world. 


only  left  his  descendants  an  honorable  name. 
Alus  !  honor  and  titles  are  worth  but  little  when 
one  is  poor.  My  brother  Luigi  is  the  Count  di 
Gianti." 

"  And  yon  are  the  Countess  di  Gianti." 
"  Yes,"  said  Pepita,  smiling  at  last,  and  hap-  " 
py  at  the  change  that  showed  itself  in  Dick. 
"I  am  the  Countess  Pepita  di  Gianti.  Can 
you  understand  now  my  dearLuigi's  high  scnso 
of  honor  and  the  fury  that  he  felt  when  he 
thought  that  you  intended  an  insult?  Our 
poverty,  which  we  can  not  escape,  chafes  him 
sorely.  If  I  were  to  desert  him  thus  suddenly 
it  would  kill  him." 

"  Oh,  Pepita !  if  waiting  will  win  yon  I  will 
wait  for  year^.     Is  there  any  hope  ?" 
"  When  will  you  leave  Rome  7" 
"  In  a  few  days  my  friends  leave." 
"Then  do  not  stay  behind.     If  you  do  j-on 
can  not  see  me." 

"  But  if  I  come  again  in  two  or  three  months  ? 
What  then  ?     Can  I  see  you  ?" 
"  Perhaps,"  said  Pepita,  timidly. 
"And  you  will  not  refuse  ?     No,  no  !     You 
can  not !     How  can  I  find  you  ?" 

"  Alas !  you  will  by  that  time  forget  all 
about  me." 

"  Cruel  Pepita  !  How  can  you  say  I  will 
forget  ?  Would  I  not  die  for  you  ?  llow  can 
I  find  von  ?" 

"  The  Padre  Liguori." 
"Who?" 

"Padre  Liguori,  at  thd  little  church.     Tho 
tall  priest — the  one  who  spoke  to  you." 
"  But  he  will  refuse.     He  hates  me." 
"He  is  a  good  man.     If  he  thinks  yon  are 
honorable  he  will  be  your  friend.     IIo  is  a  true 
friend  to  me." 


d. 


V 


:'-^:i 


^^    ■*",-"     "" 


THE  DODGE  CLUB;  OB,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLII. 


TT 


"  I  will  (CO  him  before  I  Imto  and  tail  him 
all." 

Them  wf  re  roicci  belov. 

I'epiu  started. 

"They  come.     I  aatt  go,"  uid  she,  drop- 
ping her  veil. 

"Confoand  them  I"  cried  Dick. 

".(leif^/'' lixbedPepita. 

Dicic  caai;ht  her  in  hii  ormi.     Slw  tore  her- ' 
icif  away  with  iobs.  j 

She  wa<  goae. 

Dick  lank  back  in  hit  chair,  with  hii  erei 
fixed  hungrily  on  the  Joor.  '      j 

"  Hallo  !'•   burst  the  Doctor's  voice  on  his  ' 
ears.      "Who's  that  old  girl?     Hey?     Why,  ! 
Dick,  how  pale  you  are !     You're  worse.     Hang 
it  I  you'll  have  a  relapse  if  you  don't  look  out.  ! 
Yon  must  make  a  total  change  in  your  diet — 
more    stimulating   drink    and   generous   food. 
However,  the  drive  to  Florence  will  set  you  all 
right  again." 


CHAPTER  XX\.    . 

OCCrPATIOSS  AND  PEBEOniXATIONg  OF  BtTTTONS. 

If  Buttons  had  spent  little  time  in  his  room 
before  he  now  spent  less.  He  was  exploring 
the  ruins  of  Komc,  the  churches,  the  picture 
galleries,  and  the  palaces  under  new  auspices. 
He  knew  the  name  of  every  palace  and  church 
in  the  pluce.  Ho  acquired  this  knowledge  by 
means  of  superhuman  application  to  "  Murray's 
Hand-book  "  on  the  evenings  after  leaving  his 
companions.     They  were  enthusiastic,  particu- 


•Vv 


iarly  the  ladies.  They  were  perfectly  familiar 
with  all  the  Spanikh  painters  and  many,  of  the 
Julian.  Buttons  felt  himself  far  inferior  to 
them  in  real  familiarity  wiih  Art,  but  be  made 
amend*  by  brilliant  criticisms  ol  a  transcendent- 
al nature. 

It  was  certaiijy  a  pleasant  occupation  for 
youth,  sprightliness,  and  beauty.  To  wander 
all  day  long  through  that  central  worid  fVom 
which  forever  emanate  all  that  is  fairest  and 
most  enticing  in  Art,  Antiquity,  and  Iteligion  ; 
to  have  a  soul  open  to  the  recep.ion  of  all  these 
influences,  and  to  have  all  things  glorified  by 
Almighty  love ;  in  short,  to  be  in  love  in  Itome. 

liome  is  an  inexhaustihlo  store-house  of  at- 
tractions. For  the  lovers  of  gayety  there  are 
the  drives  of  the  i'incian  Hill,  or  the  VilL.  Bor- 
ghesc.  F'or  the  student,  ruins  whose  very  dust 
is  eloquent.  For  the  artist,  treasures  beyond 
price.  F'or  the  devotee,  religion.  How  fortu- 
nate, th.,aght  Buttons,  that  in  iiddltion  to  all 
this  there  is,  for  the  lovers  of  the  beautiful, 
beauty' 

Day  after  day  they  visited  new  scenes.  Upon 
the  whole,  perhajw,  the  best  way  to  see  the  city, 
when  one  can  not  spend  one's  life  there,  is  to 
take  Murray's  Hand-book,  and,  armed  with 
that  red  necessity,  dash  energetically  at  the 
work ;  see  every  thing  that  is  mentioned ; 
hurry  it  np  in  the  orthodox  manner;  then  throw 
the  book  away,  and  go  over  the  ground  anew, 
wandering  easily  wherever  fancy  leads. 


Bl-TTO.NS  ASP   MIJSaAT. 


CHAl'TEU  XXXI. 

Bl'TTONS  ACTS  TRB  GOOD  SAMAniTAV,  AND  LIT- 
EnALLY  rNBAKTIIS  A  MOST  UNEXPECTED  VIC- 
TLM  OP  AN  ATBOCI0U8  BOBBBUY.— OB-R-B-A- 
CIOU8  ME  ! 

To  these,  once  wandering  idly  down  the  Ap- 
pian  Way,  the  ancient  tower  of  Metella  rose  in- 
vitingly. The  carriage  stopped,  and  ascend- 
ing, they  walked  up  to  the  entrance.  They 
manelled  at  the  enormous  blocks  of  travertine 
of  which  the  edifice  was  built,  the  noble  sim- 
pl  cify  of  the  style,  the  venerable  garment  of 
ivy  ■hich  bid  the  ravages  of  time. 

The  door  was  open,  and  they  walked  in. 
Buttons  first;  the  ladies  timidly  following; 
and  the  Don  bringing  np  the  rear.  Suddenly 
a  low  groan  startled  them.  It  seemed  to  como 
from  the  very  depths  of  the  earth.  The  ladies 
gave  a  shriek,  and  dashing  past  their  brother, 
ran  out.  The  Don  paused.  Buttons  of  course 
advanced.  He  ne"er  felt  so  extensive  in  hi* 
life  before.  What  a  splendid  opportunity  to 
give  an  exhibition  of  manly  courage!  So  he 
walked  on,  and  shouted : 

"Whc's  there?" 

A  groan ! 

rurincr  jii  yui,  iiii  he  came  to  the  inner 
chamber.  It  was  dark  there,  the  only  light 
coming  in  through  the  passages.  Through  the 
cloom  he  saw  the  figure  of  a  man  lying  on  the 
flour  so  tied  that  ho  could  not  move. 


n 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  SIUCCCLIX. 


"  Who  are  you  ?     What's  the  matter  ?" 
•'  Let  me  loose,  for  God's  sake  !'*  said  a  voice, 
in  thick  Italian,  with  a  heavy  German  accent. 
"  I'm  a  traveller.     I've  been  robbed  by  brig- 
ands." 

To  snatch  his  knife  from  his  pocket,  to  cut 
the  cords  that  bound  the  man,  to  lift  him  to  his 
feet,  and  then  to  start  back  with  a  cry  of  aston- 
ishment, were  all  the  work  of  an  instant.  By 
this  time  the  others  had  entered. 

The  man  was  a  German,  unmistakably.  He 
stood  blinking  and  starinp.  Then  he  stretched 
his  several  limbs  and  rubbed  himself.  Then 
he  took  a  long  survey  of  the  new-comers. 
Then  he  stroked  a  long,  red,  forked  beard,  and, 
in  tones  expressive  of  the  most  profound  be- 
wilderment, slowlj  ejaculated — 
"  Gr-r-r-r-acious  me !" 

"Meinheer  Schattl"  cried  Buttons,  grasping 
his  hand.  "  IIow  in  the  name  of  wonder  did 
you  get  here?  What  has  happened  to  you? 
Who  tied  you  up  ?  Were  you  robbed  ?  Were 
you  beaten?  Are  you  hurt?  But  come  out 
of  this  dark  hole  to  the  sunshins." 

Meinheer  Schatt  walked  slowly  out,  saying 
notiiing  to  these  rapid  inquiries  of  Buttons. 
The  German  intellect  is  profound,  but  slow ; 
and  so  Meinheer  Schatt  took  n  long  time  to  col- 
lect his  scattered  ideas.  Buttons  found  that 
hei-"g  quite  faint;  so  producing  a  flask  from 
hi  Tcket  he  made  him  drink  a  little  precious 
C'ji  il,  which  revived  him  greatly.  After  a 
long  pull  ho  heaved  a  heavy  sigli,  and  looked 
with  a  piteous  expression  at  the  new-comers. 
The  kind-hearted  Spaniards  insisted  on  taking 
l:im  to  tlicir  carriage.  He  was  too  weak  to 
walk.  They  would  drive  him.  Tliey  would 
listen  to  no  refusal.  So  Meinheer  Schatt  was 
safely  deposited  in  the  carriage,  and  told  his 
story. 

He  had  come  out  very  early  in  the  morning  to 
visit  the  Catacombs.  He  chose  the  early  part 
of  the  day  so  as  to  be  back  before  it  got  hot. 
Arriving  at  the  Churcli  of  St.  Sebastian  he 
found  to  his  disappointment  that  it  was  not  oficn 
yet.  So  ho  thought  he  would  beguile  the  time 
by  walking  about.  So  he  strolled  off  to  the 
tomb  of  Ca?celia  Metella,  which  was  the  most 
striking  object  in  view,  lie  walked  around  it, 
and  Iirc'.ie  off  a  few  pieces  of  stone.  He  took 
also  a  few  pieces  of  ivy.  These  he  intended  to 
carr\-  away  as  relics.  At  last  he  ventured  ;o 
enter  and  examine  the  interior.  Scarce  had 
he  got  insiUc  thnn  he  heard  footsteps  without. 
The  door  was  blocked  tip  by  a  numl.^.  of  ill- 
looking  men,  who  cn;no  in  and  caught  him. 

Meinheer  Scliatt  confessed  that  he  'vas  com- 
pletely o-ercomj  by  tenor.  However,  he  at 
last  mustered  sufficiciil  blreiigtli  to  ask  what 
they  wanted. 

"  Yo'.i  are  our  prisoner '." 
"Why?     Who  are  you?" 

.*  AXTn   ....rt   tUn  art.iwat  J.rv/I  ,'_<Tii  o  ril   rvfTTia  Tlnli- 


Then  Meinheer  Schatt  knew  that  they  were 
robbers.  Still  he  indignantly  protested  that  he 
was  an  nnoffcnding  traveller. 

"It's  false!  You  have  been  mutilating  the 
sacred  sepulchre  of  the  dead,  and  violating  the 
sanctity  of  their  repose!" 

And  the  fellow,  thrasting  his  hands  in  the 
prisoner's  pockets,  brought  forth  the  stones  and 
ivy.  The  others  looked  into  his  other  pockets, 
examined  his  hat,  made  him  strip,  shook  his 
clothes,  pried  into  his  boots — in  short,  gave  him 
a  thorough  overhaul. 

They  found  nothing,  except,  as  Meinheer  ac- 
knowledged, with  a  faint  smile,  a  piece  of  the 
value  of  three  half-cents  American,  whicii  ho 
had  brought  as  a  fee  to  the  guide  through  the 
Catacombs.  It  was  that  bit  of  money  that 
caused  bin  bonds.  It  maddened  them.  They 
danced  eround  him  in  perfect  furj-,  and  asked 
what  he  meant  by  daring  to  come  out  and  give 
them  so  much  trouble  with  only  that  bit  of  im- 
pure silver  about  him. 

"  Dog  of  a  Tedescho  !  Your  nation  has 
trampled  upon  our  liberties  ;  but  Italy  shall  be 
avenged !  Dog  I  scoundrel '.  villain  !  Tedcs- 
cho  !     Tedes-s-s-s-8-6-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-cho ! ' ' 

The  end  of  it  was  that  Meinheer  Schatt  was 
tied  in  a  singularly  -ancomfortable  position  and 
left  there.  He  thought  he  had  been  theiu  about 
five  hours.     He  was  faint  and  hungry. 

Thcv  took  him  home. 


ness,  appointed  by  the  Sacred  Council  of  the 
Refectory,"  said  one  of  the  men,  in  a  mocking 
tone. 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 

ANOTHER  DISCOVERT  MADE  BT  BCTTOSS. 

On  the  evening  after  this  adventure  the  Don 
turned   the   conversation  into  a  new  channel. 
They  all  grew  communicative.     Buttons  told 
them  that  his  father  was  an  extensive  merchant 
I  and  ship-owner  in  Boston.     His   business  ex- 
tended  over   many  parts   of  the  world.     He 
;  thought  he  might  have  done  something  in  Cadiz. 
I       "  Your  father  a  ship-owner  in  Boston  !       I 
thought  you  belonged  to  New  York,"  said  the 
Don,  in  surprise. 

i  "Oh,"  said  Buttons,  "  I  said  I  came  from 
there.  The  fact  is,  I  lived  there  four  years  at 
college,  and  will  live  there  when  I  return." 

"  And  your  father  lives  in  Boston,"  said  the 
i  Don,  with  an  interest  that  surprised  Buttons. 
"Yes." 

"  Is  his  name  Hiram  Buttons?" 
"Yes,"  cried  Buttons,  eagerly.     "IIow  do 
'  you  know  ?" 

I '  "  My  dear  Sir,"  cried  the  Don,  "  Hiram  But- 
tons and  I  are  not  only  old  business  correspond- 
I  er.ts,  but  I  hope  I  can  add  ]x!rsonal  friends." 
I  The  Don  rose  and  grasped  Buttons  cordially 
I  by  the  hand.  The  young  man  was  overcome 
I  by  surprise,  delight,  and  triumph. 
I  "I  liked  yo"  from  the  first,"  said  the  Don. 
"  You  bear  your  character  in  your  face.  I  was 
happy  to  receive  you  into  our  society.  But  now 
I  feel  a  still  higher  pleasure,  fur  I  lind  you  are 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  ITAIY  Is  MDCCCLK.  ,, 

man  tried  to  bring  me !    It  has  turned  out  tho 
best  thing  for  me.    What  a  capital  idea  it  was 


for  the  governor  to  trade  with  Cadiz  !" 

Such  were  the  thoughts  of  Buttons  as  ho  went 
home. 


frogs  might  give: 


h/JCKeKtKtK   KOa^  Kod^. 


CHAPTER  XXXUI. 

TiptKlKtK   KOa^   Kodf   Koaf. 

In  his  explorations  of  the  noolcs  and  corners 
of  Home  the  Senator  was  compelled  for  some 
time  to  .uake  his  journeys  alone.  lie  some- 
times felt  regret  that  he  bad  not  some  inter- 
preter with  him  on  these  occasions ;  but  on  the 
whole  he  thought  he  was  well  paid  for  bis 
troul)le,  and  he  stored  up  in  bis  memory  an  in- 
credible number  of  those  items  which  are  usual- 
ly  known  as  "  useful  facts." 

On  one  of  these  occasions  be  entered  a  very 
common  cafo  near  one  of  the  gates,  and  as  be 
felt  hungry  he  determined  to  iiet  his  '.inner. 
He  ba<l  long  felt  a  desire  to  taste  those  "fro^s" 
of  which  he  bad  heard  so  much,  and  which^to 
his  great  surprise  he  bad  never  yet  seen.  On 
coming  to  France  he  of  course  folt  confident 
that  be  would  find  frogs  as  common  as  potatoes 
on  every  dinner-table.  To  his  an'azement  he 
had  not  yet  seen  one. 

He  determined  to  have  burae  now.  But  bow 
could  he  get  tliem  ?     How  ask  for  them  ? 

"Pooh!  easy  enough!"  said  the  Senator  to 
lumsclf,  with  a  smile  of  superiority.  "  I  wish 
I  could  ask  for  every  thing  else  as  easily." 

So  be  took  liis  scat  at  one  of  the  tables,  and 
f-'ive  a  thundering  rap  to  summon  the  waiter 
All  the  cafe  bad  been  startled  by  the  advent  of 
!lie  large  foreigner.     And  evidently  a  rich  man, 
t.-r  be  was  an  Englishman,  as  tliev  thou.-ht      So 
ii|.  came  the  waiter  with  a  very  low  bow,  and  a 
voiy  dirty  jicket ;  and  all  the  rest  of  the  people  i 
111  the  cafe  looked  at  the  Senator  out  of  the  cor- ! 
ler  of  their  eyes,  and  stopped  talking.      The  • 
Si'uMoT  gazed  with  a  calm,  serene  face  n.id  : 
steady  eye  upon  the  waiter.  ; 

"  Siguore  ?"  said  tlie  waiter,  interrogatively. 


IIEEKEKEKEK  KOAX   KOAJt  1 


'■Cimk!  gumjH"  said  the  Senator,  sClemulv' 
without  mo.ing  a.  muscle. 
The  waiter  stared. 
1^-  Clie.  ruolflla  ?"  he  repeated,  in  a  faint  voice. 

crniilv  as  before.  -  -:  - 

"  N'on  capJBCo." 
"  ilunk  (juup  !  (junhety  rjm.k  rjurxj .'" 


(Rcciirrcnce  must  be  made  to  Aristophanes, 
who  alone  of  articulate  speaking  men  has  writl 
ten  down  the  utterance  of  the  common  frog.) 

The  waiter  stai  (ed  back.  All  the  men  i.i  the 
cafe  jumped  to  their  feet. 

j      "  UfjfKeKFKiK  umi^  Kwi,"  continued  tho  Sena- 
1  tor,  quite  patiently      The  waiter  looked  fii-bt- 
ened. 

"  Will  you  give  me  some  or  not?"  cried  ibo 
Senator,  indipiantly. 

'•  Signorc,"  faltered  the  waiter.  Then  lie  inn 
for  tlie  cafe-keeper. 

The  cafe-keeper  cam..     Tho  Senator  repeat- 
ed the  words  mentioned  above,  though  somewhat 
angrily.^  The   keeper  brought  forward   every 
.............    ...  .....  ;;2U3c  10  SCO  iV  any  one  couid 

understand  the  language. 

"  It's  German,"  said  one. 

"  It's  En;,'li.sh,"iiaid  another. 


m 


i<iti 


1'^ 


80 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OK,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


"  Bah  !"  laid  a  third.     "  It's  RoMian."  |      The  Senator  at  once  poured  forth  nil  that  had 

"  No,"  said  a  fourth,  "it's  Bohemian;  for  been  in  his  mind  bidcc  his  arrival.  He  gave  his 
Carole  Quinto  said  that  Bohemian  was  the  Ian-  opinion  about  the  site,  the  architecture,  the 
^uage  of  the  devil."  And  Number  Four,  ^¥ho  drains,  the  municipal  povernmcnt,  the  beggars, 
was  rather  an  intelli);cnt-Iuoking  man,  eyed  the  and  the  commerce  of  tlio  place ;  then  t^e  sol- 
Senator  compassionately.  |  dicrs,  the  nobles,  the  priests,  monks,  and  nuns. 
'■  Gunk  gunij,  gunkety  ;/vnrf .'"  cried  the  Sena-  i  Then  he  criticised  the  Government,  its  form, 
tor,  frowning;  for  his  patience  had  at  laiit  de-  itsmodeof  administration,  enlarged  upon  its  tyr- 
iorted  him.  I  anny,  condemned  vehemently  its  police  system, 
The  others  looked  at  him  helplessly,  and  and  indeed  its  whole  administration  of  every 
gome,  thinking  of  the  devil,  piously  crossed  them-  tliinc,  civil,  political,  and  ecclesiastical, 
selves.  Whereupon  the  Senator  rose  ill  majes- j  Waxing  warmer  with  the  sound  of  his  own  el- 
tic  wrath,  and  shaking  his  puree  in  the  face  of  oquence,  he  foundhimself  suddenly  but  natnral- 
the  cafe'-keeper,  shouted  :  '•  ly  reminded  of  a  country  where  all  this  is  re- 
"  You're  worse  than  a  nigger  I"'  and  stalked  versed.  So  ho  went  on  to  speak  about  Freedom, 
grandly  out  of  the  place.  Republicanism,  the  Rights  of  Man,  and  the  Bal- 

lot-Box.  Unable  to  talk  with  sufiBcient  (liicu- 
cy  while  in  a  sitting  posture  ho  rose  to  his  feet, 
and  as  he  looked  around,  seeing  that  all  prescMit 
were  staring  at  him,  he  made  up  bis  mind  to  im- 
prove the  occasion.  So  he  harangued  the  crowd 
INTELLIGENT  noMAN  ToiTUES  A  CHORD  IN  THE  pencrallv,  not  bccausc  he  thonLit  any  of  tlicni 
SENATOK's  HEAUT  THAT  vii.KATE9.-RE3rLT3    ,^„,j  ynjerstnud  him,  but  it  was  SO  long  since 

he  had  made  a  speech  that  the  present  opportuni- 
ty was  irresistible.  Besides,  as  he  afterward 
remarked,  he  felt  that  it  was  a  crisis,  and  who 
could  tell  but  t'.iat  a  wnrd  spoken  in  season 
min'it  produce  some  beneficial  cftccts. 

lie  sl.ook  lian(1=  very  warmlv  with  his  new 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

THE  SENATOR  PUI'SrES  HIS  ISVESTIOATIONS, 


OF  THE  VIBRATION. — A  VISIT  FROM  THE  ROMAN 
POLICE  ;  AND  THE  GREAT  RACE  DOWN  THE  COR- 
SO  BET\\I!EN  THE  SENATOR  AND  A  ROMAN  Sl'Y.— 
GLEE  OF  THE  POPULACE  1 — UI  !  HI  ! 


Hi;  did  not  ask  for  frogs  again;  but  still  he 
did  nut  falter  in  his  examination  into  the  life  of 
the  people.  Still  he  sauntered  through  the  re-  ; 
niotcr  corners  of  Rome,  wandering  over  to  tlie  friend  after  it  all  was  over,  and  on  leaving  him 
other  side  of  the  Tiber,  or  through  the  Ghetto,  j  made  him  promise  to  come  and  see  him  at  his 
or  among  the  crooked  streets  at  the  end  of  the    lodgings,  wliere  he  would  show  him  statistics,  etc. 


C'orso.     Few  have  learned  so  much  of  Rome  in 
so  short  a  time. 

On  one  occasion  he  was  sitting  in  a  cafe, 
where  he  had  supplied  his  wants  in  tlie  follow- 
ing way : 

"Hi  I  coffee!  coffee!"  and  again,  "Hi!  ci- 
gar! cigar!"  when  his  eye  was  attracted  by  a 
man  at  the  next  table  wlio  was  reading  a  copy 
of  the  London  Times,  which  he  had  spread  out  both  his  vis  .ors, 
very  ostentatiously.  After  a  brief  survey  the  glish. 
Senator  walked  over  to  his  table  and,  with  a 
beaming  smile,  said — 

"  Good-day,  Sir."  » 

The  other  man  looked  up  and  returned  a  very 
friendly  smile. 

"And  how  do  you  do,  Sir?" 

"Very  well,  I  thank  you,"  said  the  other, 
with  a  strong  Italian  accent. 

"  Do  you  keep  your  health  ?" 

"Thank  you,  yes," said  the  other,  evidently 
quite  pleased  at  the  advances  of  the  Senator. 

"  Nothing  gives  nie  so  much  jdensurc,"  said 


The  Senator  then  returned. 

That  evening  he  received  a  visit.  The  Sen- 
ator heard  a  rap  at  his  door  and  called  out 
"  Come  in."  Two  men  entered — ill-looking,  or 
rather  malignant-looking,  clothed  in  black. 

Dick  was  in  his  room,  Buttons  out,  Figgs  and 

t!ie   Doctor  had  not  retumod  from  the  cafe. 

The  Senator  insisted  on  shaking  hands  with 

One  of  these  men  spoke  En- 


"  His  Excellency,"  said  he,  pointing  to  the 
otlier,  "  wishes  to  speak  to  you  on  official  l:n>i- 
ness." 

"  Happy  to  hear  it,"  said  the  Senator. 

"His  Excellency  is  the  Chief  of  the  Police, 
and  I  am  the  Interpreter." 

Whereupon  the  Senator  shook  hands  with 
both  of  then  again. 

"Proud  tomakeyour  acquaintance,"  said  he. 
"  I  am  personally  acquainted  with  the  Chief 
of  the  Boston  /jolice,  and  also  of  the  Chief  of 
the  New  York  /jolice,  and  my  opinion  is  that 


tlie  Senator,  "  as  to  coine  across  an  Itulinn  i.ho    they  can  stand  more  liquor  than  any  men  I  ever 
understands  English.     You,  Sir,  are  a  Roman,  |  met  with.     Will  you  liquor?" 


I  presume." 

"  Sir,  I  am." 

The  man  to  whom  the  Senator  spoke  was  not 
one  who  would  have  attracted  any  notice  from 
him  if  it  had  not  been  fur  his  knowledge  of  En-  j 
glish.     He  was  a  narrow-headed,  mean-locking  > 
man,  wi,h  very  seedy  clothes,  and  a  servile  but  j 
cunning  expression.  j 

"  How  do  you  likv  liomo?"  he  asked  of  the    him   the  next   time  he  refuses   a  gentleman's 
Senator.  .  I  offer  lie  li.nd  better  do  it  like  u  gentleman.     For 


The  interpreter  did  not  understand.  The 
Senator  made  an  expressive  sign.  The  Inter- 
l>rcter  menti(med  the  request  to  the  Chief,  who 
shook  his  head  coldly. 

"This  is  formal,"  said  the Iiuerjircter — "  not 
social." 

The  Senator's  face  flushed.     lie  frowned. 

''viive  iiiiii   luy   euiii|tiiiiieMia    iijuii,  ituu    U-il 


THE  DODGE  CLUB;  OR,  ITALY  IX  MDCCCLIX 


GOT   YOU  THKBXl 


my  part,  if  I  cliose  to  b>:  uncivil,  I  might  say 
tliat  I  consider  your  Roman  police  very  smail 
potatoes." 

Tiie  Interpreter  translated  this  literally,  and 
thoMRh  the  final  expression  was  not  very  intelli- 
gible, yet  it  seemed  to  imply  contempt. 

So  tiie  Chief  of  Police  made  his  commnnica- 
tion  as  sternly  as  possible.  Grave  reports  iiau 
been  made  about  Ilis  American  E.xcellcnc .-. 
The  Senator  looked  surprised. 

"What  about?"' 

That  he  was  haranguing  the  prDple,  going 
about  secretly,  plotting,  and  trying  to  instill  rev- 
olutionary sentiments  into  the  public  mind. 

"  I'ooh  !"  said  the  Senator. 

The  Cliief  of  I'olicc  bade  him  be  careful. 
He  would  not  be  permitted  to  stir  up  an  excita- 
ble populace.     This  was  to  give  him  warning. 

"  Tooh !"  said  the  Senator  again. 

And  if  he  neglected  this  warning  it  would  be 
tlie  worse  for  him.  And  the  Chief  of  Police 
looked  unutterable  things.  The  Senator  ga/;e  ' 
at  him  sternly  and  Eomewhat  contemptuouslv 
for  a  few  minutes. 

"  You're  no  great  shakes  anyhow,"  said  he. 

"  Signore  ?'  said  the  Interi)reter. 

"  Doesn't  it  strike  you  that  you  are  talking 
iiifeiii'il  nonsense?'  asked  the  Senator  in  a 
slitjhtly  argumentative  tone  of  .oice,  tlirowing 
one  leg  over  another,  tilting  back  his  chair,  and 
folding  liis'arms. 

«'  Yc!".r  !  :r-..-r;-.!:;r.---:=  .^:-=iir-.i,-.;f.  !   "  » ;".  _  :„ 

* **'^'-"ii-  --  u:-rdi.*t.^Li;4*,    "ziz  iiic  in- 
dignant reply. 

"  Yours  vtnkes  me  as  something  of  the  sar  ■■ 
kind,  too;  but  more — it  is  absurd." 


"What  do  yon  neon?" 

"  You  say  I  stir  up  'he  people." 

"  Yes.     Do  you  deny  it  ?" 

"Pooh  !  How  can  a  man  stir  up  tlio  pcoplp 
when  he  ran't  speak  a  word  of  their  language?" 

The  Chief  of  Police  did  not  reply  for  a  mo- 
ment. 

"I  rather  think  I've  got  yon  there, "said  tlie 
Senate-,  dryly.     "  Iley?  old  Hoss?" 

("Kjli  Hoss"  was  an  epithet  which  he  used 
when  he  was  in  a  good  humor  )  He  felt  that 
lie  had  the  best  of  it  here,  and  his  anger  was 
gone.  He  therefore  tilted  hi  •  hair  back  further, 
and  placed  his  feet  upon -h  i  ick  of  a  chair  that 
ivas  in  front  of  him. 

"  There  are  Italian,  j,.  .tso  who  speak  En- 
glish," was  at  length  the  rejoinder. 

"I  wish  I  could  find  some  then,"  said  the 
.Senator.  "  It's  worse  than  looking  for  a  needle 
in  n  hay-stack,  they're  so  precious  few." 

"  1  ou  have  met  one." 

'  And  I  can't  say  I  feel  over-proud  of  tho.nc- 
(Hiaintance,"8aid  the  Senator,  in  his  former  drv 
lone,  looking  hard  at  the  Inte^i  ret;  .. 

"At  the  Cafe  Cenacc;,  I  menu." 

"The  wliat?     V>hir„";i  ti.at?' 

"  Wno.e  you  were  this   .:.  rning." 

"Oh'  o!  that's  it— ah  ?  And  v.-as  my  friend 
there  one  of  your  friends  too?"  asked  the  Sen- 
ator, as  I'^'ht  burst  in  upon  him. 

"  Ho  was  suffl'-iently  patriotic  to  givo  warn- 
ing.'' 

"  Oh— patriotic  ?— ho  wa«.  was  he  ?"  said  the 
Senator,  slowly,  while  hij  eyes  ihoweda  danger- 
ous li^rlit. 


82 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 
He  has  watcfaed  you  for 


and  tlio  Senator  frowned 


"Yes — patriotic 
some  time." 

"Watched  »«e.'' 
wrathfully. 

"  Yes,  all  over  Rome,  wherever  yon  went." 

"Watched  met  dogged  me!  tracked  rnf/ 
Aha  ?'• 

"  So  you  are  known." 

"  Then  the  man  is  a  spy." 

"  He  is  a  patriot." 

"  Why  the  mecn  concern  sat  next  me,  at- 
tracted my  attention  by  reading  English,  and 
encouraged  me  to  speak  as  I  did.  Why  don't 
you  arrest  him  ?" 

"  He  did  it  to  test  you." 

"  To  test  me !  How  would  ho  like  me  to  test 
him?" 

"The  Government  looks  on  your  oflFonsewith 
lenient  eyes." 

"Ahl" 

"  And  content  themselves  this  time  with  giv- 
ing rou  warning." 

"  Very  much  obliged  ;  but  tell  your  Govern- 
ment not  to  be  alarnicil.      I  won't  hurt  them." 
L'rKjn  this  the  two  visitors  took  their  leave. 


The  Senator  informed  his  two  friends  about  the 
visit,  and  thought  very  lightly  about  it ;  but  the 
recollection  of  one  thing  rankled  in  his  mind. 

That  spy  !  The  fellow  had  humbugged  him. 
He  had  dogged  him,  tracked  him,  perhaps  for 
weeks,  had  drawn  him  into  conversation,  asked 
leading  questions,  and  then  given  information. 
If  there  was  any  thing  on  earth  that  the  Sena- 
tor loathed  it  was  this. 

But  how  could  such  a  man  be  punished! 
That  was  tne  thought.  Punishment  could  only 
come  from  one.  The  law  could  do  nothing. 
But  there  was  one  who  could  do  something,  and 
that  one  was  himself.     Lynch  law ! 

"My  fayther  was  from  Boeting, 
My  uncle  wnt  Jmlpo  Lynch, 
Sn,  darn  your  lire  and  nmi-tinp'. 
You  can  not  make  me  Hincli." 

• 

The  Senator  hummed  the  above  elegant  words 
all  that  evening. 

Ho  thought  he  could  find  the  man  yet.  lie 
WPS  sure  h"  would  know  him.  llo  would  de- 
vote  himscii  to  this  on  the  next  day.  The  next 
liny  ho  went  about  the  city,  and  at  length  in  tlio, 
i'.fienioiiti  he  came  to  Pincian  Hill.     There  was 


WALSINO    gPAHISU. 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX.  ga 

»Kreat  crowd  there  as  usual.  The  Senator  which  one  is  enabled  to  make  any  other  do 
placed  himself  in  a  fuvorable  position,  in  which  what  is  called  "Walking  Spanish  "and  pro- 
he  could  only  bo  seen  from  one  point,  and  then  pelled  him  rapidly  toward  the  reservoir  of  the 
watched  with  the  eye  of  a  hawk.  :  fountain. 

He  «  atched  for  about  an  hour.     At  the  end  |      The  Senator  raised  the  .py  from  the  cround 
of  that  time  Im  saw  a  face.     It  belonged  to  a   and  pitched  him  into  the  })ool 
man  who  had  been  leaning  against  a  jwst  with  I      The  air  was  rent  with  acclamations  and  cries 
his  back  turned  toward  the  Senator  all  this  time,    of  delight. 

It  was  the  face  !  Tlie  fellow  happened  to  turn  |  As  the  spy  emerged,  half-drowned,  the  crowd 
It  far  enough  round  to  let  the  Senator  see  him.  !  came  fonvard  and  would   have   prolonired  the 


He  wns  evidently  watching  him  yet.  The  Sen- 
ator walked  rapidly  toward  him.'  The  man  saw 
him  and  began  to  move  as  rapidly  away.  The 
Senator  increased  his  pace.  So  did  the  man. 
The  Senator  walked  still  faster.  So  did  the  man. 
The  Senator  took  long  strides.  The  man  took 
short,  quick  ones.  It  is  said  that  the  fastest  jk;- 
destiians  are  those  wlio  take  short,  quick  steps. 
The  Senator  did  not  gain  on  the  other. 

By  tliin  time  a  vast  number  of  idlers  had  been 
attracted  by  the  sight  of  tliese  two  men  walkin- 
ns  if  for  a  wager.  At  last  the  Senator  began 
to  run.     So  did  the  man  ! 

The  whole  thing  wns  plain.  One  man  wa< 
chasing  the  other.  At  once  all  the  idlers  of 
the  I'incian  Hill  stopped  nil  their  afocations 
and  turned  to  look.  The  road  winds  down  the 
I'incian  Hill  to  the  Piazza  del  I'opolo,  and  those 
on  tlio  upper  part  can  look  down  and  see  the 
whole  extent.  What  a  place  for  a  race !  TI13 
quick-eyed  liomans  saw  it  nil. 

"  A  spy  !  yes,  a  Government  spy  !" 
"  Cliased  by  nn  eccentric  Kiiglisliman  \" 
A  loud  shout  burst  from  the  Roman  crowd. 
But  a  i!umbcr  of  English  and  Americans  thought 
differently.  They  saw  a  little  man  cliased 
by  a  big  one.  Some  cried  "  Shame !"  Others, 
thinking  it  a  case  of  pocket- picking,  cried 
"Stop  thief!"  Others  cried  "Go  it,  little  fel- 
low !     Two  to  one  on  the  small  chap !" 

Every  body  on  the  Piiicinn  Hill  rushed  to  the 
ed^'e  of  tlio  winding  road  to  look  down,  or  to 
the  paved  walk  that  overlooks  the  Piazza.  Car- 
riages stop]icd  and  the  occupants  looked  down. 
Ercncli  soldiers,  dragoons,  guards,  officers— all 
staring.  1 

And  away  went  the  Senator.  And  away  ran  ' 
the  terri(ied  spy.  Down  the  long  wav,  and  at 
length  they  came  to  the  Piazza  del  Popolo.  A 
loud  shout  came  from  all  the  people.  Above 
and  on  uU  sides  they  watched  the  race.  The  spy 
darted  down  the  Corso.  The  Senator  after  him". 
The  Romans  in  the  street  applauded  vocifcr 
ouslv.      "   -  '      '      '• 


delightful  sensation. 

^ot  often  did  they  have  a  spy  in  their  hands. 


C  .- 

Bw^o.~^^  \  r^^^s 

DICK  TULNKli   II  OVLE. 

CHAPTER  XXXV. 

mCK  MAKES  ANOTHER  EFFORT,  AND  BEGINS   TO 
FEEL  ENCOLKAOED. 

Pkitta's  little  visit  was  beneficial  to  Dick. 
It  sliowcd  him  that  he  was  not  altogether  cut 
off  from  her.     Before  that  ho  had  grown  to 

,,      ,     ,      .        ^    -ii --  —-    think  of  her  as  almost  inaccessible  ;    now  she 

Hundreds  of  people  stopped,  and  then    seemed  to  have  a  will,  and,  what  is  better,  a  heart 


turned  and  ran  after  the  Senator.  All  the  win- 
dows were  crowded  with  heads.  All  the  balco- 
nies were  filled  with  people. 

Down  along  tlio  Corso.  Past  the  column  of 
Antoniue.  Into  n  street  on  tlie  left.  Tiio 
Senator  was  gaining !     At  last  they  came  to  a 


of  her  own,  which  would  lend  her  to  do  her 
sliaro  toward  meeting  him  again.  Would  it  not 
be  better  now  to  comply  with  her  evident  de- 
sire, and  leave  Rome  for  a  little  while  ?  He 
could  return  again.  But  how  could  ho  tear 
himself  away  ?     Would  it  not  bo  far  better  to 


flrT?.          '^'-nu'  ''°""'"'"  "f^"^'  ^'«"=rs  bursts  remain  and  seek  her?     Ho  could  not  decide. 

:'■!.  ^.       °-      ^}":  'Py  "."  '°  "'«  °"'"  ^'''«  "f  "e  thought  of  Padre  Liguori.     Ho  had  crosslv 

^i!i»  oir"""?!     c    •'"°' ."°.  ""  "'"  "'"'^'"K '"'"1  insulted  that  gentleman,  end  the  thought   of 

Bide^ alley  the  Senator  s  hand  clutched  his  coat-  meeting  him  again  made  him  feel  blank.     Yet 

hm'     c       .            ,     .  ''0  was  in  some  way  or  other  a  protector  of 

1110  Senator   took  the   spy  in   tl.at  way  by  Pe,  ita,  -x  guardian,  perhaps,  and  as  iuch  ha.l 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


influence  over  I.er  fortunes.  If  lie  could  only 
disarm  hostility  from  Padre  Li^juori  it  would 
be  undoubtedly  for  bis  benefit,  rcrhops  I'adre 
Liguori  would  become  his  friend,  and  try  to  in- 
fluence I'epita's  family  in  his  favor.  So  he  de- 
ciilcd  on  RoinR  to  soe  Vadre  Lipuori. 

The  new  turn  which  had  been  given  to  his 
foclip"*  by  Pcpita's  visit  had  benefited  him  in 
mind  and  body.  lie  was  quite  stro^ig  cnouph 
for  a  long  walk.  ArrivinR  at  the  cimrch  he 
lind  no  difficulty  in  finding  Liguori.  The  priest 
advanced  with  a  look  of  surprise. 

"Before  mentioning  the  object  of  my  visit," 
said  Dick,  bowing  courteously,  "I  owe  you  an 
liunililo  niKjlcpy  for  a  gross  insult.  1  hoj  c  you 
will  forgive  me." 

The  priest  bowed. 

"  After  I  left  here  I  succeeded  in  my  object," 
continued  Dick. 

"  I  heard  so,"  said  Liguori,  coldly. 

"  And  you  have  heard  also  thnt  I  met  with  .i 
terrible  punishment  for  my  presumption,  or 
whatever  else  you  may  choose  to  call  it." 

"  I  heard  of  that  also,"  said  the  priest,  stern- 
ly. "And  do  you  complain  of  it  ?  Tell  me. 
Was  it  not  deserved  ?" 

'"  If  their  suspicions  and  yours  had  been  cor- 
rect, then  the  punishment  would  have  been  well 
deser\ed.  But  you  all  wrong  me.  I  entroat 
yon  to  believe  me.  I  am  no  adventurer.  I  am 
honest  and  sincere." 

"Wo  have  only  your  word  for  this,"  said 
Lipuori,  coldly. 

"  What  will  make  you  believe  that  I  am  sin- 
cere, then  ?"  said  Dick.  ' '  What  jiroof  can  I 
give?" 

"  You  are  safe  in  offering  to  give  proofs  in  a 
case  where  none  can  ''O  given." 

"I  am  frank  with  you.  Will  you  not  be  so 
with  mc  ?  I  come  to  you  to  try  to  convince  you 
of  my  honesty.  Padre  Liguori.  I  love  Pepita  as 
triily  and  as  honorably  as  it  is  possible  for  man 
to  love.  It  was  that  feeling  that  so  bewildered 
me  that  I  was  led  to  insult  you.  I  went  out 
in  the  midst  of  danger,  and  would  have  died  for 
her.    With  these  feelings  I  can  not  give  her  up." 

"I  have  heard  sentiment  like  this  often  be- 
fore.    What  is  your  me.ining  ?" 

"  I  am  rich  and  of  good  family  in  my  own 
rountiy ;  and  I  am  determined  to  have  I'epita 
for  my  wife." 

"  Your  wife  I" 

"Yes,"  said  Dick,  resolutely.  "lam  hon- 
orable and  open  about  it.  My  story  is  short.  I 
love  her,  and  wish  to  make  her  my  wife." 

The  expression  of  Liguori  changed  entirely. 

"  Ah  !  this  makes  the  whole  matter  different 
altogether.  I  did  not  know  this  befi^rc.  Nor 
did  the  Count.  But  ho  is  t.\cusa!ilc.  A  sud- 
den passion  blinded  him,  and  he  attacked  you. 
I  will  tell  you  " — and  at  each  word  the  priest's 
man'^er  grew  more  friendly — "I  will  tell  you 
how  it  is,  Signorc.  The  Giantis  were  once  a 
jiowi  iful  family,  tnd  siill  have  their  title.  I 
consider  myseif  as  a  kind  of  appanage  to  the 
family,  for  my  ancestors  for  several  generations 


w  ere  their  marj^iordomon.  Poverty  at  last  strip* 
ped  them  of  every  thing,  and  I,  the  last  of  tho 
family  dependents,  entered  the  Church.  But  I 
still  preserve  my  respect  and  love  for  them. 
You  can  understand  how  bitterly  I  would  re- 
sent and  avenge  any  base  act  or  any  wrong  done 
to  them.  Yju  can  understand  Luigi's  vengeance 
also." 

"I  thought  as  much,"  said  Dick.  "I 
thought  you  were  a  kind  of  guardian,  and  so  I 
came  hi.rc  to  tell  yon  frankly  how  it  is.  I  lovo 
her.  I  can  make  her  rich  and  happy.  To  do 
so  is  the  desire  of  my  heart.  AVliy  should  I  bo 
turned  aw.ay  ?  Or  if  there  he  any  objection, 
what  is  it  ?" 

"  There  is  no  objection — none  whatever,  if 
Pepita  is  willing,  and  you  sincerely  love  her.  I 
think  that  Luigi  would  give  his  consent." 

"  Then  what  would  prevent  me  from  marry- 
ing her  at  once  ?" 

"  At  once  !" 

"Certainly." 

"You  show  much  ardor  ;  but  still  an  imme- 
diate marriage  is  impossible.  Ti.orc  arc  vari- 
ous reasons  for  this.  In  the  first  place,  we  love 
Pepita  too  dearly  to  let  her  go  so  suddenly  to 
some  one  who  merely  feeis  a  kind  of  impulse. 
We  should  like  to  know  that  there  is  some  pros- 
pect of  her  l)cing  happy.  We  have  chbrished 
her  carefully  thus  far,  and  will  not  let  her  po 
without  having  some  security  about  her  happi- 
ness." 

"Then  I  will  wait  as  long  as  you  like,  or 
send  for  my  friends  to  give  you  every  informa- 
tion you  desire  to  have;  or  if  you  want  me  to 
give  any  proofs,  in  any  way,  a'nout  any  thing, 
I'm  ready." 

"There  is  another  thing,"  said  Liguori, 
"  which  I  hope  you  will  take  kindly.  You  are 
young  and  in  a  foreign  country.  This  sudden 
impulse  may  ho  a  whim.  If  yon  were  to  mar- 
ry now  you  might  bitterly  repent  it  before  three 
months  were  over.  Under  such  circumstances 
it  would  be  misery  for  you  and  her.  If  this 
happened  in  your  native  country  you  could  be 
betrothed  and  wait.  There  is  also  another  rea- 
son why  waiting  is  absolutely  neccssan,-.  It  will 
take  some  time  to  pain  her  brother's  consent. 
Now  her  brother  is  poor,  but  he  might  have 
been  ri^li.  He  is  a  Liberal,  and  belongs  to  t'o 
National  party.  He  hates  tho  present  system 
here  most  bitterly.  He  took  part  in  the  Komnn 
Hepublican  movement  a  few  years  ago,  and  was 
imprisoned  after  the  return  of  the  I'oi'C,  and 
lost  the  List  vestige  of  his  property  by  confisca- 
tion, lie  now  drossc.T  coarsely,  and  <lcclinc3 
to  associate  with  any  Komans,  excejit  a  t'ow  who 
are  members  of  a  secret  society  with  him.  He 
is  vcr}'  losc'y  watched  by  tho  Governmoiit,  so 
that  he  has  to  be  quiet.  But  ho  exi);cts  to 
rise  to  eminence  and  power,  and  even  wealth, 
before  very  long.  So  you  see  he  does  not  look 
upon  his  sister  ns  a  mere  ci  nmnn  nvovv-ilny 
in;itch.  He  expects  to  elevate  her  to  the  high- 
est rank,  where  she  can  find  the  host  in  'ho 
country  around  her.     For  my  own  i)ait  i  think 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


this  is  doubtful ;  and  if  you  arc  in  earnest  I 
should  do  what  I  could  to  further  your  inter- 
est. But  it  will  take  some  time  to  persuade 
the  Count." 

"Then,  situated  as  I  am,  what  eao  I  do  to 
Clin  her?"  asked  Dick. 

"Are  your  friends  thinking  of  leaving  Rome 
soon  ?" 

"Yes,  pretty  soon." 

"  Do  not  leave  them.  Go  with  them.  I'ur- 
sue  the  course  you  originally  intended,  just  as 
though  nothing  had  happened.  If  after  your 
tour  is  finished  you  find  that  your  feelings  are 
as  strong  as  ever,  and  that  she  is  as  dear  to  you 
as  you  say,  then  you  may  return  here." 

"  And  you  ?" 

"  I  think  all  objections  may  be  removed." 

"  It  will  take  some  weeks  to  finish  our  tour." 

"  Some  weeks  !  Oli,  do  not  return  under 
three  months  at  least." 

"  Three  months  !  that  is  very  long !" 

"  Not  too  long.  The  time  will  soon  puss 
.iway.  If  you  do  not  really  love  her  j'ou  will 
be  glad  at  having  escajied  ;  if  you  do  you  will 
rejoice  at  having  proved  your  sincerity." 

iSome  further  conversation  passed,  after  which 
Dick,  finding  the  priest  inllexiblc,  ceased  toi)er- 
juado,  and  acceded  to  his  proposal. 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

sriownjo  now  difficult  it  is  to  oet  a  lacn- 

DUESS,  FOR  THE  senator  WANTED  ONE,  AND 
NOT  KNOWING  THE  LANOUAOE  GOT  INTO  A 
S(  KAPE,  NOT  BY  UI9  OWN  FAULT,  FOU  HE  WAS 
CAUEFIL  ABOL'T  COMMITTING  HIMSELF  WITH 
THR  LADIES  ;  BLT  PKAV,  WA3  IT  HIS  FAULT  IP 
THE  LADIES  WOULD  TAKE  A  f  ANCV  TO  UIM  f 

Sir.NORA  SIlRANDOLINA  RoCCA,  who  WaS  the 

Imdlady  of  tlie  houst  where  the  Club  were  lodg- 
ing, was  a  widow,  of  about  forty  years  of  age, 
still  ficsh  iinU  blooming,  with  a  merry  d.irk  eye, 
iiiul  mucli  animation  of  features.  Sitting  usual- 
ly in  tlic  fmall  room  which  thoy  passed  on  the 
"■ .  to  their  ai)artmc  .  s,  tliey  had  to  stop  to 
got  their  keys,  or  to  leave  them  when  they  went 
luit,  and  Buttons  and  Dick  frequently  stopped 
to  have  a  little  conversation.  The  rest,  not 
being  able  to  speak  Italian,  contented  them- 
selves with  smiles;  the  Senator  particularfy, 
■Alio  gave  the  most  beaming  of  smiles  both  on 
gfiing  and  on  returning.  Sometimes  he  even 
tried  to  talk  to  her  in  his  usual  adaptation  of 
bi-cikcn  En-lisli,  sjKjkon  in  loud  tones  to  the 
beniglitcd  but  fascinatin,:^  foreigner.  Her  at- 
tentiun  to  Dick  during  his  sickness  increased 
the  Senators  admiration,  and  ho  thought  her 
one  of  the  best,  one  of  the  most  kind-hearted 
Juid  sympathetic  of  beings. 
^  One  day,  toward  the  close  of  the  .  -tav  in 
ivomo,  the  Senator  was  in  a  fix.     IIo  ftad'  not 

b'ld    liP.V     *.v:v;h;r.~   .•!.",;-.-    ^'.\....    I..-.    ..... i~    .: 

City.  He  had  run  through  all  bis  clean  linen, 
and  came  to  a  dead  stand.  Before  leaving  for 
uii.itlier  pl.ice  it  was  absolutely  necessary  to  at- 


tend to  this.  But  how?  Buttons  was  off  wiih 
the  Spaniards ;  Dick  had  gone  out  on  a  drive. 
No  one  could  help  him,  so  he  tried  it  himself. 
In  fact,  he  had  never  lost  confidence  in  his  pow- 
ers of  making  himself  understood.  It  was  still 
a  fixed  conviction  of  his  that  in  cases  of  neces- 
sity any  intelligent  man  could  make  his  wants 
known  to  intelligent  foreigners.  If  not,  there 
is  stupidity  somewhere.  Had  he  not  done  so 
in  Paris  and  in  other  places  ? 

So  he  rang  and  managed  to  make  the  servant 
understand  that  he  wislied  to  see  the  landlady. 
The  landlady  had  always  shown  a  great  admi- 
ration for  the  manly,  not  to  say  gigantic  charms 
of  the  Senator.  Upon  him  she  bestowed  her 
brightest  smile,  and  the  quick  flush  on  licr 
face  and  heaving  breast  told  tliat  the  Senator 
had  made  wild  work  with  her  too  susteptiblo 
heart. 

So  now  when  she  learned  that  the  Senator 
wished  to  see  her,  she  at  once  imagined  the 
cause  to  be  any  thing  and  every  thing  except 
the  real  one.  Why  take  that  particular  time, 
when  all  the  rest  were  out?  she  thought.  Evi- 
dently  for  some  tender  pu;-pose.  Why  send  for 
her  ?  Why  not  come  down  to  see  her  ?  Evi- 
dently because  he  did  not  like  the  publicity  of 
her  room  at  the  Coneiergerie. 

She  arrayed  herself,  therefore,  in  her  bright- 
est and  her  best  charms;  gave  an  additional 
flourisli  to  her  dark  hair  that  hung  wavin-ly  and 


80 


THE  DODGE  CLUD ;  Olt,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


;    I 


tion. 


"  S!;/nore,"  said  Mirandoliut,  "la  di  Ltigtrt'' 
I  telezta  me  con/'onde." 


MHO, 


luxuriantly,  anditill  without  a  troco  of  gray  over  '      "Me  — me  — want  — ha— hum  — ah  I    You 

her  forehead;  looked  at  herself  with  her  dark   know  — me  — Rentleman  — hum— me Con- 

eyes  in  the  glass  to  see  if  she  appeared  to  the   found  the  luck,"  he  added,  in  profound  vexa- 
best  advantage  ;  and  finally,  in  some  agitation, 
but  with  great  eagomcss,  she  went  to  obey  the 
summons. 

Mciiniime  the  Senator  had  been  deliberating  [  The  Senator  turned  his  eyes  all  around,  ererT- 
hcw  to  l)egin.  He  felt  that  he  could  not  show  where,  in  a  desperate  half-conscious  search  for 
his  bundle  of  clothes  to  so  fair  and  fine  a  creat-  escape  from  an  embarrassing  situation. 
iiic  ns  this,  whose  manners  wore  so  soft  and  i  " Signort  noi  ci  simuo  soU,neimno  ci  $atli-' 
vliose  smile  so  pleasant.  Ho  would  do  any  remarked  the  Signora,  encouragingly, 
thing  first.  He  would  try  a  roundabout  way  I  "Me  want  to  tell  you  this!  "  burst  forth  the 
of  making  known  his  wishes,  trusting  to  his  Senator.  "Clothes  — yon  know— washv- 
own  powers  and  the  intelligence  of  the  lady  for  washy."  Whereupon  he  elevated  his  eyebrows, 
a  full  and  complete  understanding.  Just  as  ho  ,  smiled,  and  brought  the  tips  of  bis  fingers  to- 
h.id  come  to  this  conclusion  there  was  a  timid    gether. 

knock  at  the  door.  |      "  /„  „„„  ,o  che  cosa  vuol  dir  mi.  Il/u.itrissi 

''  Come  m,"  said  tlio  Senator,  who  began  to    said  the  Signora,  in  bewilderment 

' "You— you— you    know.      Ah?      Washy? 

Hey  ?    No,  no,"  shaking  his  head,  "  not  washy, 
but  (/et  washy." 

The  landlady  smiled.  The  Senator,  encour- 
aged by  this,  came  a  step  nearer. 

"  C/ie  fosu.'  II  cuor  mc  paljiita.  lo  trtmo," 
murmured  La  Rocca. 

She  retreated  a  step.  Whereupon  the  S(  .-.a- 
tor  at  once  fell  back  again  in  great  confusii^n. 

"Washy,  washy,"  he  repeated,  mcclianically, 
as  his  mind  was  utterly  vague  and  distrait. 

"  I'dssi-Uuussi  f  repeated  the  other,  inter- 
rogativclv. 
"Me—" 

"  Til,"  snid  she,  with  fonder  emphasis. 
"  Wee  mounscer,"  said  he,  with  utter  desper- 
ation. 

The  Signora  shook  her  head.  "  Aon  co/iisro. 
Ma  qvelle,  balordurfgirti  td  intonnentimente,  'he 
sono  si  von  sr;;ni  manlfesti  tFamore  f" 

"  I  don't  understand,  marm,  a  s.ngle  word  of 
that." 
The  Signora  smiled.     The  Senator  took  cour- 


feel  a  little  awkward  alreaJy. 

'^  J^/ierme.isof"  said  a  soft  sweet  voice,  "« 
/wo  tntrarr  T"  and  Signora  Mirandolina  Kocca 
nilvanced  into  the  room,  giving  one  look  at  the 
Senator,  and  then  ca^jting  down  her  eyes. 

"  L'imlissima  serva  di  Lei,  Signore,  mi  com- 
iii'indi." 

Hut  the  Senator  was  in  n  quandary.  Wliat 
couUiliedo?  llowbegiu?  What  gesture  would 
be  the  most  fitting  for  a  beginning  ? 

The  pause  began  to  be  embarrassing.  The 
l:uly,  however,  as  yet  was  calm— calmer,  in  fact, 
tlian  Mhcn  she  entered. 

So  she  spoke  once  more. 

"  iJi  che  hit  Ella  l/isor/nii,  I/lustris  simo  ?" 

The  Senator  was  dreadfully  embarrassed. 
The  lady  was  so  fair  in  his  eyes.  Was  this  a 
woman  who  could  contemplate  the  fact  of  soiled 
linen  ?    Never. 

"  Kliera  !"  said  he. 

Then  he  paused. 

".SV/ra  devuta,"  said  Signora  Mirandolina. 
"C/"' <•'(',  Siijnore." 

Then  looking  up,  she  saw  the  face  of  the  age  again 
Si-nator  all  rosy  red,  turned  toward  her,  with  a|  "The  fact  is  this,  marm,"  said  he,  firmlv,  "I 
mango  confusion  and  embarrassment  in  his  eye,  !  want  to  get  my  clotlics  washed  somewhere.'  Of 
yet  it  was  a  kind  eye— a  soft,  kind  eye.  |  course  you  don't  do  it,  but  you  can  tell  me,  you 

'■' E<iU  e  forse  innamorato  di  me  "  mnnaurcA    know.     Hm  ?" 


the  lady,  gathering  new  courage  as  she  saw  the 
timidity  of  the  other.  "Che  rjrande:za .'"  she 
continued,  loud  enough  for  the  Senator  to  hear, 
yet  speaking  as  if  to  herself.  "C/ia  hellezza  : 
iin  ffaiantuomo,  certamenle  —  e  quest'  e  iiio/fo  jmi- 
crvok." 

She  glanced  ■\t  the  manly  figure  of  the  Sen-  :  washed— laundress— washy— soap  and  water- 
ntor  with  a  tender  admiration  in  her  eye  wliich  |  clean  'em  all  up— iron  'em— liang  'em  out  to  di' 
she  could  not  repress,  and  which  was  so  intelli-    Ha  ?" 

giblo  to  the  Senator  that  he  blusiied  more  vio-  !      While  saying  this  he  indulged  in  an  express 
lontly  than  ever,  and  looked  heijilessly  around  ,  ive  pantomine.     When  alluding  to  his  dothes 


"  \on  capisco." 

"Madame,"  said  he,  feeling  "onfident  that 
she  would  understand  that  word  at  least,  and 
thinking,  too,  that  it  might  perhaps  serve  as  a 
key  to  explain  any  other  word.--  hich  he  might 
append  to  it.     "  My  clothes — I  want  to  get  them 


liiiii. 

"  E  inncimoralo  di  me,  "-^-.i  dnfiin,"  snk]  the 
Signora,  "  vergogna  non  vuol  che  sisupessc." 

The  Sonator  at  length  found  '•oice.  Ad- 
vancing toward  the  lady  he  looked  at  her  very 
earnestly  and  as  she  thought  very  piteouslv— 
iicid   out   both   ins   hands,  then   smiled,  then 


ho  placed  his  hands  against  his  chest,  when  men- 
tioning tlie  drying  of  them  he  waved  them  in  the 
air.  The  landlady  comprehended  this.  How 
not  ?  When  a  gentleman  places  his  hand  on  his 
henrl,  what  is  his  moaning? 

"O  sottigliezza  d'a/nore.'"   murmured   she. 

Che  cosa  cerca,"   she  continued,  looking  up 


spread  his  hands  apart,  then  nodded  and  smiled  ;  timidlv  bnt  invitinglv. 

again,  and  said—  ]      The  Senator  felt  doubtful  at  this,  and  in  fact 


THE  DODGL  CLUBj  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


87 


THE  BENATOB  IN  A    WORSE  FIX 


a  little  fii{,'htene(l.  Again  he  placed  his  hands 
on  his  chest  to  indicate  his  clotlies ;  he  struck 
that  manly  chest  fortilily  several  times,  looking 
at  her  all  the  time.     Then  he  wrnnj;  his  hands. 

"Ah,  Si;/nore,'  said  La  Uocca,  witn  a  melt- 
ing glance,  "now  e  d'uopo  di  clc.y>era:ione." 

"  Washy,  washy — " 

"E/ipuri',  SK  Kiln  vuol  sposnrmi,  nnn  ce  difji- 
co'Ua,"  returned  the  other,  with  true  Italian 
frankness. 

"  Soap  and  water—"' 

"  Non  ho  il  corai/ijii)  di  dir  di  nn.^' 

The  Senator  had  his  arms  outstretched  to  in- 
dic.ite  the  hanginK-out  process.  Still,  however,  ■ 
feeling  doubtful  if  he  were  altogether  under-  I 
stood,  he  tliought  he  would  try  another  form  of 
pantomime.  Suddenly  he  fell  down  on  liis ' 
knees,  and  began  to  imitate  the  action  of  n  '■ 
washer-woman  over  her  tuli,  washing,  wringing,  ! 
pounding,  rubbing.  i 

"  0  ijran'  ciclo  !"  cried  the  Signora,  her  pity- 
ing heart  filled  with  tenderness  at  the  sight  of 
i:::3  ::-j;;:c  DCing  or.  uis  kucca  uuioiu  iier,  and,  as 
she  thouglit,  wringing  his  hands  in  despair. 
"O  (/ran'  cido  !  Egli  e  inmimorato  di  me  non 
}mo  parlor  ItaVano  e  cosi  non  jmo  dirmelo.'' 


Her  warm  heart  promjitcd  her,  and  she  obey- 
ed its  impulse.     What  else  could  she  do  ?     She 
flung  herself  inio  his  outstretched  arms,  as  ho 
raised  himself  to  hang  out  imaginary  clothes  on 
j  an  invisible  line. 

I  The  Senator  was  thunderstruck,  confounded, 
I  bewildered,  shattered,  overcome,  crushed,  stupe- 
I  fied,  blasted,  overwhelmed,  horror  -  stricken, 
wonder-smittcn,  annihilated,  amazed,  hon-ified, 
I  shocked,  frightened,  terrified,  nonplused,  wilted, 
awe-struck,  shivered,  astounded,  dumbfounded, 
lie  did  not  even  struggle.     He  was  paralyzed. 

"Ah,  carissimo,"  said  a  soft  and  tender  voice 
in  his  oar,  a  low,  sweet  voice,  "  sr.  vcrawetiia  me 
ami,  siiro  lo  ttia  carissima  s/iosu — " 

At  that  moment  the  door  ojicned  and  But- 
tons walked  in.  In  an  instant  he  darted  out. 
Tlie  Sipnnra  hurried  away. 

"  Addio,  bcllissima,  carissima  t/inja!"  she  sigh- 
ed. 

The  Senator  was  still  paralyzed. 
After  a  time  he  went  with  n  pale  .ind  anx- 
ious lace  to  see  Buttons.  That  young  man 
promised  secrecy,  and  when  the  Senator  was 
telling  his  story  tried  hard  to  look  serious  and 
isympathotic.     In  vain.     The  thought  of  that 


98 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


ilTT.  —  roLLIES  OF  MODSRN  CHITICi.  —  REYN- 
OLDS AND  KISKIN.— HOW  FAB  POPULAR  TABTB 
I»  WORTH  ANT  TIIINO.— CONCLUDINO  HIMAUKIt 
OF  A  MISCELLANEOCa  DESCRIPTION. 


I 


•cene,  and  the  eau»c  of  it,  and  tlio  blunder  tlint 
hud  been  made  overwhelmed  him.  Ijiughter 
convulsed  him.  At  last  the  Senator  got  up  in- 
dignantly and  left  the  room. 

Dut  what  wns  ho  to  do  now?  The  thine'  fThere  1  »«  «  bill  of  f«r»  Iltatler  my»elf  ih«i  ihi.  «boT» 
could  not  be  explained.  How  could  he  get  out  "^fl^^^'tt '»!'i:.b'^^JVre,^^trreh"X"„?''; 
Of  the  hoaso  ?  lie  would  have  to  pass  her  us  "«>f>"iiJliiy  ciUu.Uvb  cluncur,  u  wiii  bp  sitn  Lt  iha 
•he  sat  at  the  door.  i  t**'"  "'  f""'*"'*  »>«'»«:  but  »ft*rwiird,  flndlng  tint  Uia 

Ilo  I  ..I  .»  .  II         Ti   ..  ...         I  '■""P'*''  ''»''  •IrM'ly  retehed  tlie  dlnirnitona  of  *  kokI. 

lie  liaa  to  call^n  Buttons  again  and  implore  ,  fj*^,,'^^  ^fp™  •  qnyter  of  it  wu  writipn,  I  thmight 

'"^'     ""  '  '  cnD«ider«d 


his  assistance.  The  difficulty  was  so  re'pug 
nant,  and  the  matter  so  very  delicate,  that  But- 
tons declared  he  could  not  take  the  ^;^po^- 
sibility  of  Bcttlln;?  it.  It  wou'l  have  to  be 
brought  before  the  Club. 


tint  If  It  were  inwrted  In  tlili  work  It  would  1_  ^..„..M.„cii 
by  icime  u  too  long;  In  f«ct,  if  It  were  o<lmitti>d  nothing 
niuro  would  ever  be  heard  of  the  Dodge  Club;  which 
w.uld  be  a  great  pity,  u  the  be»t  of  llieir  adventurea  did 
not  Uke  place  until  after  tbii  pe.lod;  and  ai  thia  la  the 
real  character  of  the  pre«nt  aork,  I  have  finally  decided 


Orougtit  bctore  the  Club.  [  to  enlarge  the  chapter  into  a  book,  which  I  will  publlnh 

The  Club  had  a  meeting  about  it,  and  many    *fi!i;f.'l?Tr„'^r°  '"  'll*  T.""'' "'.y  "•■"'"fy  »f  the  Mie. 

.  1  1        ra.r  .   .  *      ntiic?,         livatiAe  on  the  (tre«k  I  art  clwi  '•  *M;niir»ifl  of 

l)lans    were    proposed.      The    stricken    Senator    Twelve  Lecture,  on  Modem  llUtnry"  new  edition  of  the 


had  one  plan,  and  that  pi-evailed.  It  was  to 
leave  Rome  on  the  following  day.  For  his 
jiart  he  had  made  up  his  mind  to  leave  tlie  house 
at  once.  He  would  slip  out  as  thougli  ho  in- 
tended to  return,  and  the  others  could  settle  his 


.  ,     _  ry,"  new  edition  of  the 

AgampmnonlanTri.ilogT"  of  .fischyiue,  with  new  read- 
ing^  "  Harmony  of  (Jiwk  Accent  and  I'roeody,"  "  Kxer- 
i-l«<  ■  In  Sanacrlt  for  Bcglnneni,  on  the  Oiiendorf  Syjlem," 
"The  Odymey  of  Homer  tran-laled  Into  the  nublin  Irljh 
dialect,"  "  DiMertatlon  on  the  Synilmlicai  Nature  of  the  Mo- 
(ale  tk»nomy,"  "Elinientu  of  l.ot.'lc,"  "Kxamination  into 
the  I^wof  Neutral*."  "  Life  of  General  George  Wa-hing- 


ClIAI'TER   XXXVII. 

Home. — Ancient  irtxtorij.— THE  pkeihstokic  ep.a. 

— CKITICAL  EXAMINATION  OP  NIEIilllU  AND 
ni8  SCUOOL.— TUE  EAKLY  IIISTOUY  OP  ROME 
PLACED  ON  A  BIOHT  BASIS.— EXPLANATION  OP 
HISTORY  OP  REPUBLIC. —napoleon's  "  CE- 
SAR."— THE  IMPERIAL  REGIME.— THE  NORTH- 
ERN BARBARIANS.— RISE  OP  THE  PAPACY.— ME- 
IH.EVAL  ROME. 
TojXX/raphy.—rnVE  ADJUSTMENT  OF  BOUNDS  OF 
ANCIENT  CITY.— ITS  PROBABLE  POPULATION.— 
6'«V(/</y.— EXAMINATION  OF  FORMATION.— TUFA 
TRAVERTINE.— ROMAN  CEMENT.  — TERRA-COT- 
TA.—,*^pecial  cOmkliratioH  of  lioman  OilacombK. 
—BOSIO.—ARRINGUI.— CARDINAL  WISEMAN.— 
RECENT  EXPLORATIONS,  INVESTIGATIONS,  EX- 
AMINATIONS, EXHUMATIONS,  AND  RESUSCITA- 
TIONS.—EARLY  CHRISTIAN  HISTORY  SET  ON  A 
TRUE  BASIS.-RELICS.— MARTYRS.— REAL  ORI- 
GIN OP  CATACO.MBS.— TRUE  AND  RELLIBLE  EX- 


blU  and  bring  with  them  the  clothes  tliat  had     .2"'     '  '""ory  of  Putent  Medicines,"  '•Tiam.action.  of 
rniiiuxl   nil  tl.i..    (-....I  1„        IT  11  •    .L  '™  'S*™  AMortatlnn  for   the   advancement    of   lliimaD 

cnuseU  all  tins  trouble.      He  would  meet  them  ;  laming,  p.rticularly  Natural  Science-  (con-lHlingofone 
III  the  morning  outside  the  gate  of  the  citv.  '■■  »rtlcle  written  by  mym  if  on  'The  Toad«  of  .Maine'),"  and 

This  resolution  was  adopted  by  nil,  aiid  the  !  ;Sl!l.A'e.V.f„^7ot:?l^rM?lVor^^^ 
fecnator,  leaving    money   to    settle  for   himself,     '"end  Society,- ••  which  will  all  be  out  iwme  of  theac  d«y., 

went  away.  He  passed  hunicdlv  out  of  the  ' 'k "".'"'"Mr  """l  ".'"'?=,'"" ''^"  "'*''™'"*""'' "''» 
,Innr  IT„  .lonn  1  .  1  """'^"'^  ""'  "'  '"^  Chapter  will  appear  In Ixiok  form.  Andif  anyof  my  read- 
aoor.  lie  dared  not  look.  He  heard  a  soft  era  prefer  to  wait  till  th.y  read  that  chapter  before  read- 
voice  pronounce  the  word  "  f7iV<)'ii  '"  He  fled  i  '""^  *"''  lurther,  nil  I  can  «ay  I*,  pcrh«p«  tliey'd  better 
Now  that  one  who  owned  the  soft  voice  afte;. '  toure.°oni.:'U!dBe"cruT"°"'  """"^''""'  '"'"  "" 
ward  changed  her  feelings  so  much  toward  lior 
"gioja"  that  opposite  his  name  in  her  house- 
book  she  wrote  the  following  epithets:     H!r- 

lone,   yUkino,  Zolicaccio,  Burbcrone,  Oaylioffu,  CHAPTER   XXXVIII. 

Meschino,  liriconaccio,  Anemalaccio,  ._  . 

'  ITALIAN  TRAVEL,  ROADS,  INNS.— A  GRAND  BREAK- 

DOWN.—AN  AI:MV  of  BEGGARS. — SIX  MEN 
HUNTING  UP  A  CAl'.lJIAOE  WHEEL;  AND  PLANS 
OF  TUE  SENATOR  loH  THE  GOOD  OF  ITALY. 

On  the  following  morning  the  Senator  was 
picked  uj)  at  the  gate,  whore  lie  had  waited  pa- 
tiently  ever  since  the  d.iwn  of  day.  His  seat 
was  secured.  His  friends  were  around  him. 
He  was  safe.  They  icillcd  on  merrily  all  thnt 
day.  And  their  caniu^'e  was  ahead  cjf  tlmt  of 
the  Spaniards.  They  stojiped  at  the  same  inns. 
Buttons  was  happy. 

The  next  day  came.  At  nine  o'clock  a.m. 
on  the  next  day  there  was  a  singular  scene : 

A  vettura  with  the  fore-wheel  crushed  into 
fragments  ;  two  horses  madly  plunging ;  five 
men  thrown  in  difl'ercnt  directions  on  a  soft 
sand-bank ;  and  a  driver  gazing  upon  the  scene 
with  a  face  of  woe. 

The  Senator  tried  most  energetically  to  brusli 

TENT  (WITH  MAPS)  '''°  '^"''  ^'^"'^  ''"'*  '^''"'"^'  '^^'^^  ""  cnormous  red 

jf;;<;warA-,'ion.4rt.—TnERENAiS9ANCF.— THE  EARLY    '"'"'  handkerchief;    the  Doctor  and  Mr.  Fig-s 
PAINTERS:  ciMABUE,  GIOTTO,  PERUGiNO,  RAF-    'ookcd  aghast  at  huge  rents  in  fhcir  nether  gar- 
ments; Buttons  and  Dick  picked  themselves  up 
and  hurried  to  the  wreck. 

The  emotions  of  the  former  may  be  conceived. 

The  wheel  was  an  utter  smash.     No  patching 

SPIRIT.— EFFECT  OP  GOTHIC  ART  ON  ITALY  AND    however  thorough,  HO  carc  however  tender,  cotdd 

",*TV,\'Jrt?r'7.''-.T,?°"r.?i'"^  ^^..^^^JLtt^   P'«<=°  ■' °"  i'^  edge  again  a  perfect  wheel.    A  hill 

ROME  INFLt-ENCED^TVlSDEVELcJpMENT.— THE     'T  "*'"'"'■''    ""^'"'  "<='''""  ^*""'ch  the  tipaniardS, 

FOSTERING  SPIRIT  OF  TUE  CHURCH.- ALL  MOD-    '"'herto  their  Companions,  had  disappeared  half 
ERN  ART  CHRISTIAN.' — WHY  THIS  WAS  A  NECES-   an  houT  prcviouslv,  and  Were  now  rolling  on  over 


AELLE  SANZIO,  MICHELANGELO  BUONAROTTI 
THE  TRANSFIGURATION.— THE  MOSES  OF  MI- 
CUCLANGELO.-BELLINI.— SAINT  PETER'S,  AND 
MOKE  PARTICULARLY  THE  COLONNADE.— THE 
I-AST     JUDGMENT.— DANTE.— THE    MEDIAEVAL 


ffllE  DOIXJE  CLUB ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


the  palin  l)oyoiiiI  tlint  hill  all  ignorant  of  thi» 
diMstcr.  Every  moment  separated  them  more 
widely  from  the  despairing  Buttons.  Could  he 
hare  metamorphosed  himself  into  a  wheel  moat 
cladly  would  ho  have  done  it.  lie  had  wild 
thought!!  of  xettin);  off  on  foot  and  catching  up 
to  them  before  the  next  day.  But,  of  course, 
further  reflection  showed  him  that  walking  was 
out  of  the  question. 

Dick  looked  on  in  silence.  They  were  little 
more  than  a  day's  journey  from  Home.  Civita 
Cn^ttllann  lay  between ;  yet  |)crhap8  a  wheel 
niiKlit  not  be  got  at  Civita  Castcllana.  In  that 
case  a  return  to  Rome  was  inevitable.  What  a 
momentous  thought!  Back  to  JJome!  Ever 
since  ho  left  he  had  felt  a  profound  melancholy. 
The  feeling  of  homesickness  was  on  him.  lie 
had  amused  himself  with  keeping  his  eyes  shut 
and  fancying  that  ho  was  moving  to  Home  in- 
stead of  from  it.  He  had  repented  leaving  tlio 
city.  Better,  he  thought,  to  have  waited.  Ho 
might  then  have  seen  I'epita.  The  others  grad- 
ually came  to  survey  the  scene. 

"  Eh  ?  Well,  what's  to  be  done  now  ?"  said 
Buttons,  shari)ly,  ns  the  driver  camo  along. 
'•  How  long  are  you  going  to  wait?" 

"Signorc  makes  no  allowance  for  a  poor 
man's  confusion.  Behold  that  wheel !  What 
is  there  for  me  to  do — unhappy  ?  May  the  bit- 
tor  curse  of  the  ruined  fall  upon  that  miserable 
wheel  I" 


I      "Tho  coach  hai  already  fallen  on  It,"  said 
Dick.      "Surely  that  is  enough." 
I      '■  It  infuriates  me  to  find  myself  orerthrown 
here." 
i      "  You  could  not  wish  for  a  better  place,  my 
'  Piotro." 

"  What  will  yon  do  ?"  said  Buttons.      "  Wo 
must  not  w»ito  time  here.     Cau  we  go  on  ?" 
"  How  is  that  possible  ?" 
"  We  might  get  a  wheei  ut  the  next  town." 
"Wo  could  not  find  one  if  we  hunted  all 
through  the  three  next  towns." 

"Curse  your  Italian  towns!"  cried  Buttons, 
in  a  rage. 

"Certainly,  Signore,  curse  them  if  you  desire." 
"  Where  can  we  get  this  one  repaired  then  ?" 
"At  Civita  Castellana,  I  hope." 
"  Back  there !     What,  go  back  !" 
"  I  nra  not  to  blame,"  said  I'ietro,  with  res- 
ignation. 

"  We  must  not  go  back.     We  shall  not." 
"If  we  go  forward  every  mile  will  make  it 
worse.     And  how  can  we  move  with  this  load 
and  this  broken  wheel  up  that  hill  ?" 

That  was  indeed  a  difficulty.  The  time  that 
had  elapsed  since  the  lamentable  break-down 
had  been  sufficient  to  bring  upon  tho  scene  an 
inconceivable  crowd.  After  satisfying  thcit 
curiosity  they  betook  themselves  to  business. 

Hapgcd,  diriy,  evil -faced,  wicked- eyed, 
si  iiul:in.',  whining,  impudent — seventeen  worn. 


p5:-'yi>'  • 


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Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


(.  i  .v- 


:'?'L'- 


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90 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLl^ 


i 


en,  twenty-ninc    tmall    boys,  and    thirty-one 
men,  without  counting  can  and  goats. 

"Signo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o!  in  the  name  of 
the  Ever  Blesstd,  and  for  the  love  of  Heaven." 
"  Go  to  thunder."     "  For  the  love  of."     "  We 


Three  hours  were  consumed  in  the  tcdioiu 
search.  The  entire  body  of  the  inhabitants  be- 
came soon  aware  of  the  object  of  their  desiresi 
and  showed  how  truly  sympathetic  is  the  Ital- 
ian nature,  by  accompanying  them   wherever 


--• "••  -TO    lau  lioiure,  uy   uucompanying  tnem   wherever 

havcnothinp,  nolh,ng,  nothing  I  Do  you  hear?"    they  went,  and  making  observations  that  were 
"Of  the  Virgm."     "Away:  Be  off."     "Give    more  sprightly  than  agreeable. 
!"wii'      °    '°    blazes!"     "Me    miserable."        At  first  the  Club  kept  together,  nud  miue 
..^,  V  ^°,"  "Infirm,  blind,  and."    their  search  accompanied  bv  Pietro;  but  after 

J  11  break  your  skull !"  "Altogether  des-  a  time  the  crowd  became  so'immense  that  thev 
pcrate.         '  If  you  torment  us  any  more,  I'll. "    separated,  and   continued   their  search  singlv 

Only  the  smallest  charity."  "Smash  your  This  produced  but  slight  improvement.  The 
abominable  bottle-nose  !"  "  Oh,  generous  no.  crowd  followed  their  example.  A  Inrue  num. 
bios!  "Don't  press  me,  you  nithy."  "H-  ber  followed  the  Senator:  walking  when  ho 
lustnous  cavaliers!;  "Take  that!  and  if  you  walked;  stopping  when  he  stopped;  turning 
My  any  more  1 11  kick  you  harder."     "I  kneel    when  ho  turned  ;  strolling  when  he   strolled  • 


peering  when  he  peered ;  commenting  when  ho 
spoke,  and  making  themselves  geacrally  very 
agreeable  and  delightful. 

At  every  corner  the  tall  form  of  the  Senator 
might  be  seen  ns  he  walked  swiftly  with  the 
long  procession  following  like  a  tail  of  n  com- 
et ;  or  as  he  stoi)ped  at  times  to  look  around  in 


before  you,  oppressed,  wretched,  starving.  Let 
these  tears."  "I'll  make  you  shed  more  of 
them  if  you  don't  clear  out."  "N-n-n-  Sig- 
no-o-o-o-o!"  "Away!"  "Behold  a  wretch- 
ed villager  from  the  far  distant  Ticino !"  "  You 
bo  lianged !  Keep  off ! "  "  Oh,  Signo-o-o-o-o ! 
Oh  per  I'amor  di  Dio!  Carita!  Carita-a-a-a  ^.,  „.  „,  „u  , 
— solamcntcun  mezzo  baroccho— oh,  Signo-o-o!  despair,  when 
•^datemi.''  I 

out'nf'T'   f''""°'    '■^"''r"''  '''^'  P'"  '"  'n,h„p.a„d.e.t„;'p';„Xem.:eTt' 

out  ot   tins  at  once.       Anywhere  —  anvwlierc,  '        stood  like  a  tower,    liu  foi-m  had  not  yet  loet 

BO  that  we  can  escape  from  tlicso  infernal  vag.i-  !        ■*"  ""  "^'^^^  brightne..;" 

°TlfJ  ,„.  If  .1,  .  T,-  ,  .  .  Although,  to  tell  the  truth,  his  clothes  h.nd,  and 

The  result  was   that  Pictro  turned  his  o.-ir-    the  traces  of  mud  and  dust  somewhat  dimmed 
riage  round.    By  piling  the  baggaKc  well  bel.iTiJ,    the  former  lustre  of  his  garments 

Trlved  t?^'Z  /.'"'  ^TT^I  '"'■''■'^I'v'- ''?  '""■  '^'"'  "PP""'"«  "••■"'  «'  '«''  <"°^<=<=<1  it^olf  upon 

fn  W    1  ^              vehicle  along.     Behind  them  them  that  Civita  Castellana  could  not  furnish 

Mlo„ed  the  pertinacious  beggar.,  filling  the  air  thorn  eitlier  with  a  new  wheel  or  a  blacksmith 

with  prayers,  groans,  sighs,  cries,  tears,  lamen-  who  could  repair  the  broken  one.    Whether  tho 

ta'ions  appeals,  wailings,  and  entreaties.    Thus  entire  mechanical  force  of  the  town  had  gone 

situated  they  made  their  entry  into  Civita  Cas-  off  to  the  wars  or  not  they  did  not  stop  toTn! 

nrt!l"«.„-w.        fi.  n.       ,        .  '!"''■''•      They  believed  that  the  citizens  had 

Othcr^  might  have  felt  flattered  at  the  rcccp-    combined  to   disappoint   them,  in    hopes   that 
lion  that  awaited  them.     They  only  felt  an-    tlieir  detention  might  bring  i^  a  litt  e  readv 


noyed.  The  entire  city  turned  out.  The  main 
street  up  which  they  p'asscd  was  quite  full. 
The  side-streets  showed  people  hurraing  up  to 
the  principal  thoroughfare.  They  were  the 
centre   of  all  eves.     Through  the  windows  of 


n)oiiey  ond  start  it  in   circulation  around  the 
community. 

It  was  at  last  soon  that  the  only  way  to  do 
was  to  send  Pietro  back  to  Kome.  To  delay 
any   longer  would  be  only  a   waste  of  time. 


.!,„  „„<•- .u          'j             ..  ...     -'    '""fi^'   "uuiu  ue  oiiiy  a   waste  ot   time. 

the  cafe  the  round  eyes  of  the  citizens  were  vis-  Slowly  and  sadly  they  took  up  their  quarten.  at 

ible  on  the  bread  stare.     Even  the  dogs  and  the  hotel.     Dick  decided  to  go  back  so  as  to 

'  Lr  /  nT  '"T"';-  ,  •      u         ,  ''""^"  1''="°'  "'"'  '"'K'"  «'herwise   loiter  on 

I^or  coud  they  seek  relief  in  the  seclusion  tlie  way.     So  the  dilapidated  carriage  had  to 

of  the  hotel.     The  anxiety  which  all  felt  to  re-  sot  out  on  its  journey  backward 

sume  their  journey  did  not  allow  them  to  rest.  Forced  to  endure  the  horrors  of  detention  in 

They  at  once  explored  the  entire  city.  one  of  the  dullest  of  Italian  towns,  their  situa- 


Was  there  a  carriage-maker  in  "the  place  ? 
A  half-hour's  search  showed  them  that  there 
was  not  one.  The  next  thing  then  was  to  try 
and  find  a  wheel.  About  this  they  felt  a  little 
hopeful.  Strange,  indeed,  if  so  common  a  thing 
as  this  could  not  be  obtained. 

Yet  strange  as  this  might  be  it  was  even  so. 
No  wheel   was  forthcoming.     They  could  not 


tion  was  deplorable.  Mr.  Figgs  was  least  un- 
liap])y,  for  he  took  to  his  bed  and  slept  through 
the  entire  period,  with  the  exception  of  certain 
intervals  which  he  devoted  to  meals.  The  Doc- 
tor sat  quietly  by  an  upper  window  playing 
tlie  devil's  tattoo  on  tho  ledge  with  inexhausti- 
ble patience. 

Tho  Senator  strolled  through  the  town.     lie 


find  a  carriage  even.     There  was  nothing  but    found  much' to  TnfereM  "him.'     His  busy  brain 
two  ancient  caleches,  whose  wheels  were  not    was  filled  with  schemes  for  the  improvement 
only  rickety  but  utterly  disprojiortioncd  to  the    of  the  town.      " 
size  of  the  vcttura,  ond  any  quantity  of  bullock  |      How  town  lots  could  be  made  valuable  •  how 

r^rta    ivhi/ih    rv^.M'#.,l    rt«    yi^«*..;» .i    _a    .       i  i         .  ^__ ...  '    •••^.t 

scarcely  be  called  wheels  at  all.  urcs   could  be  promoted  ;  how  hotels  started  ; 


^ 


■iiHiiMiiiiMM 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OB,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


91 


TUE  SSKATOB'B  ESOOBT. 

huw  shops  sapported ;  how  trade  incrcnscd ; 
liow  the  wliole  surrounding  population  enriched, 
especially  by  the  factories. 

"Why,  among  these  here  hills," "said  he, 
confidentially,  to  Buttons — "  among  these  very 
hills  there  is  water-power  and  excellent  location 
for,  say— Silk-weaving  mills,  Fulling  ditto.  Grist 
ditto.  Carding  ditto.  Sawing  ditto.  Plaster- 
crushing  ditto.  Planing  ditto. — Now  I  would 
locate  a  cotton-mill  over  there." 

"Where  would  you  get  your  cotton?"  mum- 
bled Buttons. 

"  Where  ?"  repeated  the  Senator.  "  Grow  it 
on  the  Ciimpagna,  of  course." 

Buttons  passed  the  time  in  a  fever  of  im- 
patience. 

For  far  ahead  the  Spaniards  were  flying  fur- 
ther and  further  away,  no  doubt  wondering  at 
every  stage  why  he  did  not  join  them. 


CHAPTER   XXXIX. 

TRH7MPHANT  PROGRESS  OP  DICK.  —  GENDARMES 
FOILED. — THE  DODGE  CLUB  IS  ATTACKED  BY 
BRIGANDS,  AND  EVERT  MAN  OP  IT  COVERS  HIM- 
SELF WITH  GLOBT. — SCREAM  OP  TUB  AMERI- 
CAN EAGLE ! 

It  was  late  on  the  evening  of  the  following 
(liv  hcforu  Dick  made  his  appe«rancc  with 
I'ietro.  Another  vettura  had  been  obtained, 
and  with  cracks  of  a  long  whip  that  resounded 
through  the  whole  town,  summoning  the  citi- 
zens to  the  streets;  with  thunder  of  wheels 
over  the  pavements ;  with  prancing  and  snort- 


ing of  hones ;  Pietro  drove  np  to  the  hotel. 
Most  conspicuous  in  the  turn-out  was  Dick,  who 
was  seated  in  the  coupe',  waving  his  bat  triumph- 
antly in  the  air. 

The  appearance  of  the  carriage  was  the  sig- 
nal for  three  hearty  cheers,  which  burst  involun- 
torily  from  the  three  Americans  on  the  court- 
yard, rousing  Mr.  Figgs  from  sleep  and  the 
inn-keeper  from  his  usual  lethargy.  One  look 
at  the  horse*  was  enough  to  show  that  there 
was  no  chance  of  proceeding  further  that  day. 
The  poor  beasts  were  covered  with  foam,  and 
trembled  cscessively.  However,  they  all  felt 
inflnite  relief  at  the  prospect  of  getting  away, 
even  though  they  would  have  to  wait  till  tbo 
following  rooming. 

Dick  was  drapced  to  the  dimng-room  by  his 
eager  friends  and  fiercely  interrogated.  He  had 
not  much  to  tell. 

The  journey  to  Komc  had  been  made  with- 
out any  difBculty,  the  carriage  having  tumbled 
forward  on  its  front  axle  not  more  than  one 
'hundred  and  fifty-seven  times.  True,  when  it 
reached  Home  it  was  a  perfect  wreck,  the  frame- 
work being  completely  wrenched  to  pieces ;  and 
the  proprietor  was  bitterly  enraged  with  Pietro 
for  not  leaving  the  carriage  at  Civita  Castellann, 
and  returning  on  horseback  for  a  wheel ;  but 
Dick  interceded  for  the  poor  devil  of  a  driver, 
and  the  proprietor  kindly  consented  to  deduct 
the  value  of  the  coach  from  his  wages  piece- 
meal. 

Their  journey  back  was  quick  but  uninterest- 
ing. Dick  acknowledged  that  he  had  a  faint 
idea  of  staying  in  Home,  but  saw  a  friend  who 
advised  him  not  to.  lie  had  taken  the  reins 
and  driven  for  a  great  part  of  the  way,  while 
Pietro  had  gone  inside  aud  slumbered  the  sleep 
of  the  just. 

As  it  was  a  lonely  coantry,  with  few  inhabit, 
ants,  he  had  beguiled  the  tedious  hours  of  the 
journey  by  blowing  patriotic  airs  on  an  enor- 
mous trombone,  purchased  by  him  from  a  mis- 
cellaneous dealer  in  Rome.  The  result  had 
been  in  the  liighest  degree  pleasing  to  himself, 
though  perhaps  a  little  surprising  to  others. 
No  one,  however,  interfered  with  him  except 
a  party  of  gendarmes  who  attempted  to  stop 
hitn.  They  thought  that  ho  was  a  Garibaldi- 
no  trying  to  rouse  the  country.  The  trom- 
bone might  have  been  the  cause  of  that  susjii- 
cion. 

Fortunately  the  gendarmes,  though  armed  to 
the  teeth,  were  not  mounted,  and  so  it  was  that, 
when  they  attempted  to  arrest  Dick,  tliat  young 
man  lashed  his  horses  to  fury,  and,  loosening 
the  reins  at  the  same  moment,  burst  through 
the  line,  and  before  they  knew  what  bo  was 
about  he  was  away. 

They  fired  a  volley-.  The  echoes  died  away, 
mingled  with  gendarmerian  curses.  The  only 
harm  done  was  a  hole  made  by  a  bullet  through 
the  coach.  The  only  apparent  effect  was  the 
waking  of  Pietro..  That  worthy,  suddenly 
roused  from  slumber,  jumped  up  to  hear  the 
last  sounds  of  tlio  rides,  to  see  the  hole  made 


i^£SS^ 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  ITALY  IX  MIKCCLIX. 


'Mi^. 


1^ 


DICK  IN   UIB   QLOUT. 


by  tlic  bullet,  tlio  fading  forms  of  the  frantic 
officials,  and  the  nimble  fipure  of  the  gallant 
iliiver,  who  stood  upright  upon  the  seat  waving 
his  hat  over  his  head,  while  the  horses  dashed 
on  at  a  furious  gallop. 

This  was  all.  Nothing  more  occurred,  for 
Pietro  drove  the  remainder  of  the  way,  and 
Dick's  trombone  was  tabooed. 

On  the  following  morning  the  welcome  de- 
parture was  made.  To  their  inexpressible  joy 
they  found  that  the  coach  was  this  time  a  strong 
one,  and  no  ordinary  event  of  travel  could  de- 
lay them.  They  had  lost  two  days,  however, 
and  that  was  no  trifle.  They  now  entered  upon 
tlie  second  stage,  and  passed  on  without  diffi- 
culty. 

In  fact,  they  didn't  meet  with  a  single  inci- 
dent worth  mentioning  till  they  came  to  Peru- 
gia. Perugia  is  one  of  the  finest  places  in  Ita- 
ly, and  really  did  not  deserve  to  bo  overhauled 
so  terrifically  by  the  Papal  troops.  Every  body 
remembers  that  affair.  At  ihe  time  when  the 
Dodge  Club  arrived  at  this  city  they  found  the 
Papid  party  in  the  middle  of  a  reaction.  They 
actually  began  to  fear  that  they  had  gone  a  lit- 
tle too  fur.  They  were  making  friendly  over- 
tures to  the  outraged  citizens.  But  the  lattc 
were  implacable,  stiff! 

What  rankled  most  deeply  was  the  madden- 
ing fact  that  these  Swiss,  who  were  made  the 
ministers  of  vengeance,  were  part  of  that  ac- 
cursed, detested,  hated,  shunned,  despised,  ab- 
horred, loathed,  execrated,  contemptible,  stu- 
pid, thick-headed,  brutal,  gross,  cruel,  bestial, 
demoniacal,  fiendish,  and  utterly  abominable 
race — /  Tedeschi — whose  very  name,  when  hiss- 
ed from  an  Italian  mouth,  expresses  unuttera- 
ble scorn  and  undying  hate. 

They  left  Perugia  at  early  dawn.  Jogging 
on  easily  over  the  hills,  they  were  calculating 
the  time  when  they  would  reach  Florence. 

In  the  disturbed  state  of  Italy  at  this  time, 
resulting  from  war  and  ^litical  excitement, 
Miiu  geiicr«i  vx|>eututiuii  uf  universal  ciiaiige, 
the  country  was  filled  with  disorder,  and  scoun- 


drels infested  the  roads,  particularly  in  the  Pa- 
pal territories.  Here  the  Government,  finding 
sufficient  employment  for  all  its  energies  in  tak- 
ing care  of  itself,  could  scarcely  be  expected  to 
take  care  either  of  its  own  subjects  or  the  trav- 
eller through  its  dominions.  The  Americans 
had  heard  several  stories  about  brigands,  but 
had  given  themselves  no  trouble  whatever  about 
them. 

Now  it  cnme  to  pass  that  about  five  miles 
from  Perugia  they  wound  round  a  very  thickly- 
wooded  mountnii-.,  which  ascended  on  the  left 
far  above,  and  on  the  right  descended  quite  ab- 
ruptly iato  a  gorge.  Dick  was  outside ;  the 
others  inside.  Suddenly  a  loud  shout,  and  a 
scream  from  Pietro.     The  carriage  stopped. 

The  inside  passengers  could  see  the  horses 
rearing  and  plunging,  and  Dick,  snatching  whip 
and  reins  from  Pietro,  lasliing  them  with  all 
his  might.  In  a  moment  all  inside  was  in  an 
uproar. 

"  We  are  attacked  !"'  cried  Buttons. 

"The  devil!"  cried  the  Senator,  who,  in  his 
sudden  excitement,  used  the  first  and  only  pro- 
fane expression  which  his  friends  ever  heard 
him  utter. 

Out  came  the  Doctor's  revolver. 

Bang!  bang!  went  two  rifles  outside,  and  a 
lond  voice  called  on  them  to  surrender. 

"  Andtile  al  IMavolo .'"  pealed  out  Dick's 
voice  as  loud  as  a  trumpet.  His  blows  foil 
fast  and  furiously  on  the  horses.  Maddened 
by  pain,  the  animals  bounded  forward  for  a  few 
rods,  and  then  swerving  from  the  road-side, 
dashed  against  the  precipitous  hill,  where  the 
coach  stuck,  the  horses  rearing. 

Through  the  doors  which  they  had  flung 
open  in  order  to  jump  out  the  occupants  of  ilic 
carriage  saw  the  reeling  figures  of  armed  men 
overthrown  and  cursing.  In  a  moment  they 
all  were  out. 

Bang!  ond  then — 

Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-bang  I  went  half  a  dozen  ri- 
iius. 

Thank  Heaven!    not  one  of  the  Club  was 


s^^mmM^^^^mii^mk 


THE  DODGE  CLUB  j  OB,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


(track.     There  were  twenty  Monndreli  armed 
to  the  teeth. 

The  Doctor  was  as  stifF  as  a  rock.  He  aimed 
six  times  as  calmly  as  though  he  were  in  a  pistol, 
gallery.  Nerve  told.  Six  explosions  roared. 
Six  yells  followed.     Six  men  reeled. 

"  I'd  cire  ten  years  of  my  life  for  snch  a  pis- 
tol :"  cried  Buttons. 

The  Italians  were  staggered.  Dick  had  a 
bowie-knife.  The  Senator  grasped  a  ponder- 
ous beam  that  he  had  placed  on  the  coach  in 
case  of  another  break-down.  Mr.  Fi};gs  had  a 
razor  which  he  had  grabbed  from  the  sture- 
honsQ  in  the  Doctor's  pocket.  Buttons  had 
nothing.  But  on  the  road  lay  three  Italians 
writhing. 

"Hurrah!"  cried  Buttons.  "Load  njain, 
Doctor.  Come  ;  let's  make  a  rush  and  get  the 
guns  of  these  devils  on  the  road." 

He  rushed  forward.  The  others  nil  at  his 
side.  The  Italians  stood  paralyzed  at  the  effect 
of  the  revolver.  As  Buttons  led  the  charge 
they  full  back  a  few  paces. 

"Hurrah!  hurrah!  hurrah!"  burst  from 
Buttons,  the  Senator,  and  Dick,  as  each  snatch- 
cd  a  rille  from  the  prostrate  bandits,  and  has- 
tily tore  the  cartridge-boxes  from  them. 

"Load  up!  load  up!  Doctor!"  cried  But- 
tons. 

*'All  right,"  said  the  Doctor,  who  never 
changed  in  his  cool  solf-jiossession. 

But  now  the  Italians  with  curses  and  screams 
came  back  to  the  attack.  It  is  absolutely  stu- 
pefying to  think  how  few  shots  hit  the  mark  in 
the  excitement  of  a  fight.  Hero  were  a  num- 
ber of  men  tiring  from  a  distance  of  hardly 
more  than  forty  paces,  and  not  one  took  effect. 

The  next  moment  the  whole  crowd  were 
upon  thera.  Buttons  snatched  Mr.  Figgs's  ra- 
zor from  his  grasp  and  used  it  vigorously. 
Dick  plied  his  bowie-knife.  The  Senator  wielded 
a  clubbed  rifle  on  high  as  though  it  were  a 
wand,  and  dealt  the  blows  of  a  giant  upon  the 
heads  of  his  assailants.  All  the  Italians  were 
physically  their  inferiors — small,  puny  men. 
Mr.  Figgs  made  a  wild  dash  at  the  first  man  he 
saw  and  seized  his  rifle.    The  fight  was  spirited. 

The  rascally  brigands  were  nearly  three  times 
as  numerous,  but  the  Americans  surpassed  them 
in  bodily  strength  and  spirit. 

Crash — crash — fell  the  Senator's  rifle,  and 
down  wont  two  men.  His  strength  was  enor- 
mous— absorbed  as  it  had  been  from  the  gran- 
ite cliffs  of  the  old  Granite  State.  Two  brawny 
fellows  seized  him  from  behind.  A  tbrnst  of  his 
ell)ow  laid  one  low.  Buttons  slashed  the  wrist 
of  the  other.  A  fellow  threw  himself  on  But- 
tons. Dick's  bowie-knife  laid  open  his  arm  and 
thigh.  The  next  moment  Dick  went  down  be- 
neath the  blows  of  several  Italians.  But  But- 
tons rushed  with  bis  razor  to  rescue  Dick. 
Three  men  glared  at  him  with  uplifted  weap- 
ons. Down  came  the  Senator's  clubbed  rifle 
like  an  avalanche,  swcepins  their  weapons  over 
the  clitf.  They  turned  simultaneously  on  the 
Senator,  and  gmsped  him  in  a  threefold  em- 


brace. Bnttons't  razor  again  dmnk  bl«od.  Two 
turned  upon  him.  Bang !  went  the  Doctor's 
pistol,  sending  one  of  them  shrieking  to  the 
ground.  Bang !  once  more,  and  a  fellow  who 
had  nearly  overpowered  the  breathless  Figgs 
staggered  back.  Dick  was  writhing  on  the 
ground  beneath  the  weight  of  a  dead  man  and 
a  fellow  who  was  trying  to  suffocate  him.  But- 
tons was  being  throttled  by  three  others  who 
held  him  powerless,  his  razor  being  broken. 
A  crack  on  Mr.  Figgs's  head  laid  him  low. 
The  Doctor  stood  off  at  a  little  distance  hastily 
reloading. 

The  Senator  alone  was  free ;  but  six  fierce 
fellows  assailed  him.  It  was  now  as  in  the  old 
Homeric  days,  when  the  heroic  soul,  sustained 
by  iron  nerve  and  mighty  muscle,  came  oat  par- 
ticularly strong  in  the  hour  of  conflict. 

The  Senator's  form  towered  up  like  one  of 
his  own  granite  cliflfs  in  the  storm — as  rugged, 
'IS  unconquerable.  His  blood  was  up!  The 
same  blood  it  was  that  coursed  through  the 
veins  of  Cromwell's  grim  old  "  Ironsides,"  and 
afterward  animated  those  sturdy  backwoods- 
men who  had  planted  themselves  in  American 
forests,  and  beaten  back  wild  beasts  and  howl- 
ing savages. 

Buttons,  prostrate  on  the  ground,  looked  up, 
gasping  through  the  smoke  and  dust,  as  he 
struggled  with  his  assailants.  He  saw  the  Sen- 
ator, his  hair  bristling  out  straight,  his  teeth  set, 
his  eye  on  fire,  his  whole  expression  sublimed 
by  the  ardor  of  battle.  His  clothes  were  torn 
to  shreds ;  his  coat  was  gone,  his  hat  nowhere, 
his  hands  and  face  were  covered  with  clots  of 
blood  and  streaks  from  mud,  dust,  smoke,  and 
powder. 

The  eye  of  Buttons  took  in  all  this  in  one 
glance.  The  next  instant,  with  a  wide  sweep 
of  his  clubbed  rifle  the  Senator  |)nt  forth  oil  his 
gigantic  strength  in  one  tremendous  effort. 
The  shock  was  irresistible.  Down  went  the 
six  bandits  as  though  a  cannon  ball  had  struck 
them.  The  Senator  leaped  away  to  relievo 
Dick,  and  seizing  his  assailant  by  neck  and 
heel,  flung  him  over  the  cliff.  Then  tearing 
away  another  from  Mr.  Figgs's  prostrate  and 
almost  senseless  form,  he  rushed  buck  npon 
the  six  men  whom  ho  had  just  levelled  to  the 
earth. 

Dick  sprang  to  the  relief  of  Buttons,  who  was 
at  his  last  extremity.  But  the  Doctor  was  be- 
fore him,  as  cool  as  ever.  He  grasped  one  fel- 
low by  the  throat — a  favorite  trick  «f  the  Doc- 
tor's, in  which  his  anatomical  knowledge  came 
very  finely  into  play : 

"Oft" I"  rang  the  Doctor's  voice. 

The  fellow  gasped  a  curse.  The  next  in- 
stant a  roar  burst  through  the  air,  and  the 
wretch  fell  heavily  forward,  shot  through  the 
head,  while  his  bruins  were  sjiattered  over  the 
face  of  Buttons.  The  Doctor  with  a  blow  of 
his  fist  sent  the  other  fellow  reeling  over. 

Buttons  sprang  up  gasping.  The  Italians 
were  falling  back.  He  called  to  the  Senator. 
That  man  of  might  came  up.     Thank  God. 


M^smmi:. 


M 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OB,  ITALY  IN  MD(  CCI.IX. 


they  were  all  alive  I     Braised,  and  wounded, 
and  panting — but  alire. 

The  Rcowling  bandit*  drew  off,  leaving  aeren 
of  their  number  on  the  road  hort  de  combat. 
Borne  of  the  retreating  ones  had  been  badly 
treated,  and  limped  and  staggered.  The  Club 
proceeded  to  load  their  rifles. 

The  Doctor  stepped  forward.  Deliberately 
aiming  he  fired  his  revolver  five  times  in  rapid 
succession.  Before  he  had  time  to  load  again 
the  bandits  had  darted  into  the  woods. 

"Every  one  of  those  bullets  hit,"  said  the 
Doctor  with  unusual  emphasis. 

"We  must  get  under  cover  at  once,"  snid 
Dick.     "They'll  be  back  shortly  with  others  1" 

"  Then  we  must  fortify  our  position,"  said 
the  Senator,  "  and  wait  for  relief.  As  we  were, 
though,  it  was  lucky  they  tried  a  hand-to-hnrid 
fight  first.  This  hill  shelters  us  on  one  side. 
There  are  so  many  trees  that  they  can't  roll 
stones  down,  nor  can  they  shoot  us.  We'll  fix 
a  barricade  in  front  with  our  baggage.  We'll 
have  to  fight  behind  a  barricade  this  time  ; 
though,  by  the  Eternal !  I  wish  it  were  hand- 
to-hand  again,  for  I  don't  remember  of  ever 
having  bad  such  a  glorious  time  in  all  my  born 
days  !" 

The  Senator  passed  his  hand  over  his  gory 
brow,  and  walked  to  the  coach, 

"  Where's  Tietro  ?" 

"Pietro!     Pietror 

No  answer. 

"Pl-E-TKO!" 

Still  no  answer. 

"  Pietro!"  cried  Dick,  "if  you  don't  come 
here  I'll  blow  your — " 

"  Oh  !  is  it  you,  Signori  ?"  exclaimed  Pie- 
tro's  voice;  and  that  worthy  appeared  among 
the  trees  a  little  way  up  *he  hill.  He  'vos  dead- 
ly pale,  and  trembled  so  much  that  he  could 
scarcely  sjieak. 

"  Look  here  !"  cried  Buttons;  "  'vo  are  go- 
ing to  barricade  ourselves." 

"  Barricade!" 

"  We  can  not  carry  our  baggage  away,  and 
wo  are  not  going  to  leave  it  bc'iinc.  We  ex- 
pect to  have  another  battle." 

Pietro's  face  grew  livid. 

"  You  can  stay  and  help  us  if  you  wish." 

Pietro's  teeth  chattered. 

"Or  you  can  help  us  far  more  by  running  to 
the  nearest  town  and  letting  the  authorities 
know." 

"  Oh,  Signore,  trust  me !     I  go." 

"  Make  haste,  tlicn,  or  you  may  find  us  all 
murdered,  and  tlien  how  will  you  get  your  fares 
—eh?" 

"  I  go — I  go  ;    I  will  run  all  the  way  !" 

"Won't  you  take  a  gun  to  defend  yourself 
with?" 

"  Oh  no  I"  cried  Piatro,  with  horror.  "  No, 
no!" 

In  a  few  minuter  he  had  vanished  among  the 
thick  woods. 

After  stripping  the  prostrate  Italians  the 
travellers  found  themselves  in  possession  of  sev- 


en rifles,  with  cartridges,  and  some  other  useful 
articles.  Four  of  these  men  were  stone-dead. 
They  prlled  their  bodies  in  front  of  their  place 
of  shelter.  The  wounded  men  they  drew  in- 
side, and  the  Doctor  at  once  attended  to  them, 
while  the  others  were  strengthening  the  barri- 
cade. 

"I  don't  like  putting  these  here,"  said  the 
Senator ;  "but  it'll  likely  frighten  the  brigands, 
or  make  them  delicate  about  firing  at  us.  That's 
my  idee." 

The  horses  were  secured  fast.  Then  the  bag. 
gage  was  piled  all  aruund,  and  made  an  ex- 
cellent barricade.  With  this  and  the  captured 
rifles  they  felt  themselves  able  to  encounter  a 
small  regiment. 

"Now  let  them  come  on,"  cried  the  Senator, 
"just  as  soon  as  they  damn  please  !  We'll  try 
first  the  European  system  of  barricades  ;  and 
if  that  don't  work,  then  we  can  fall  back  on  tho 
real  original,  national,  patriotic,  independent, 
manly,  native  American,  true-blue,  and  alto- 
gether heroic  stvle!" 

"What  is  that?" 

The  Senator  looked  at  the  company,  and 
held  out  his  clenched  fist : 

"Why,  from  behind  a  tree,  in  the  woods, 
like  your  glorious  forefathers !" 


'SjmrM,'"^- 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OK,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX 


TUC  BAS&IOAI>£. 


CHAPTER  XL. 


PLEASANT  MEDITATIONS  ABOUT  THE  WONDERS  OF 
TOBACCO;  AND  THREE  PLEASANT  ANECDOTES 
BY  AN  ITALIAN  BBIOAND. 

A  PULL  apiece  at  the  brandy-flask  restored 
strength  and  freshness  to  the  beleaguered  trav- 
ellers, who  now,  intrenched  behind  their  fortifi- 
cations, awaited  any  attack  which  the  Italians 
might  choose  to  make. 

"The  /-talians,"  said  the  Senator,  "are  not 
a  powerful  race.  By  no  means.  Feeble  in 
body— no  muscle — no  brawn.  Above  all,  no 
real  phck.  Buttons,  is  there  a  word  in  their 
language  that  expresses  the  exact  idee  ofulitckt" 

"No." 

"  Or  ^ame.'" 

"No." 

"Or  even  spttnkT" 

"No." 

"I  thought  not,"  said  the  Senator,  calmly. 
"  They  haven't  the  idee,  and  can't  fcave  the 
word.  Now,  it  would  require  a  rather  consid- 
erable crowd  to  demolish  us  at  the  present 
time." 

"How  long  will  wo  have  to  stay  here?" 
asked  Mr.  Figgs  abruptly. 

"My  dear  Sir,"  said  Buttons,  with  more 
gprightiiness  than  he  hod  shown  for  many  days, 
"bo  thankful  that  you  are  here  at  all.  We'll 
get  off  some  time  to-day.  These  fellows  are 
watching  us,  and  the  moment  wo  start  they'll 
fire  on  us.     We  would  be  a  good  mark  for  them 

^!:  iiir  wa*j:;.      i~0,  WC  it.uSb  'WuIS  iltvuiiu." 

Seated  upon  the  turf,  they  gave  themselves 
up  to  the  pleasing  influence  that  flows  from  the 
G 


pipe.  Is  there  any  thing  equal  to  it?  How 
did  the  ancients  contrive  to  while  away  the 
time  without  it  ?  Had  they  known  its  effects 
how  they  would  have  cherished  it!  We  should 
now  be  gazing  upon  the  ruins  of  renerable  tem- 
ples, reared  by  adoring  votaries  to  the  gdddess 
Tabaca.  Boys  at  school  would  have  construed 
passages  about  her.  Lempriere,  Smith,  An- 
thon,  Drissler,  and  others  would  have  done 
honor  to  her.  Classic  mythology  would  hare 
been  full  of  her  presence.  Olympian  Jove 
would  have  been  presented  to  us  with  this  di- 
vinity as  his  constant  attendant,  and  a  nimbus 
around  his  immortal  brows  of  h-ir  making.  Bac- 
chus would  have  had  a  rival,  a  superior  1 

Poets  would  have  told  how  Tabaca  went 
over  the  world  girt  in  clouds  that  but  set  off 
the  more  her  splendid  radiance.  We  should 
have  known  how  much  Bacchus  had  to  do  with 
rd  BaKxeta ;  a  chapter  which  will  probably  be  a 
lost  one  in  the  History  of  Civilization.  But 
that  he  who  smokes  should  drink  beer  is  quite 
indisputable.  Whether  the  beer  is  to  be  X, 
XX,  XXX;  or  whether  the  brewer's  name 
should  begin  with  aa  A,  as  in  Alsopp,  and  run 
through  the  whole  alphabet,  ending  with  V,  as 
in  Vassar,  may  bo  fairly  left  to  individual  con- 
sideration. 

What  noble  poetry,  what  spirited  odes,  what 
eloquent  words,  has  not  the  world  lost  by  the 
ignorance  of  Greek  and  Roman  touching  this 
plant? 

The  above  remarks  were  made  by  Dick  on 
this  occasion.  But  Buttons  was  talking  with 
the  wounded  Italians. 


THE  DODGE  CLUB;  OB,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLDC. 


The  Doctor  bad  bound  up  tbeir  wounds  and 
Button*  hid  favored  them  with  a  drop  from  hU 
flnik.  Dick  cut  up  lome  tobacco  and  filled  a 
pipe  for  each.  After  all,  the  Itallani  were  not 
iiends.  Th^y  had  attacked  them  not  from 
malice,  bat  purely  from  professional  motives. 

Yet,  had  their  enemies  been  Tedcschi,  no 
amount  of  attention  would  have  overcome  their 
sullen  hate.  But  being  Americans,  gar,  easy, 
without  malice,  in  fact  kind  and  rather  agreea- 
ble, they  softened,  yielded  altogether,  and  final- 
ly chatted  familiarly  with  Buttons  and  Dick. 
They  were  young,  not  worse  in  appearance 
than  the  majority  of  men  ;  perhaps  not  bad  fel- 
lows in  their  social  relations ;  at  any  rate, 
rather  inclined  to  be  jolly  in  their  present  cir- 
cumstances. They  were  quite  free  in  their  ex- 
pressions of  admiration  for  tho  bravery  of  the!' 
captors,  and  looked  whh  awe  upon  the  Doctor's 
revolver,  which  was  the  firsr,  they  had  ever  seen. 

In  fact,  the  younger  prisoner  became  quite 
communicative.     Thus : 

"I  was  born  in  Velletri.  My  ago  is  twcnty- 
fonr  years.  I  hare  never  shed  blood  except 
three  times.  Tho  first  time  was  !•  Narni — odd 
place,  Narni.  My  employer  was  a  vine-dresser. 
The  season  was  dry ;  the  brusl.  caught  fire,  I 
don't  know  how,  and  in  five  minutes  a  third  of 
tho  vineyard  was  consumed  to  ashes.  My  cm- 
idoyer  came  cursing  and  raving  at  me,  and 
swore  he'd  make  mo  work  fur  liim  till  I  made 
good  the  loss.  Enraged,  I  struck  liim.  lie 
•eized  an  axe.  I  drew  my  stiletto,  and  —  of 
course  I  had  to  run  away. 

"The  second  time  was  in  Naples.  The  affair 
was  brought  about  by  a  woman.  Signore, 
wometa  are  at  the  bottom  of  most  crimes  that 
men  commit.  I  was  in  love  with  her.  A  friend 
of  mine  fell  in  love  with  her  too.  I  informed 
him  that  if  he  interfered  with  me  I  would  kill 
him.  I  told  her  that  if  she  encouraged  him  I 
would  kill  him  and  her  too.  I  suppose  she  was 
piqued.  Women  will  get  piqued  sometimes. 
At  any  rate  she  gave  h<m  marked  encourage- 
ment. I  scolded  and  threatened.  No  use. 
She  told  me  she  was  tired  of  mo ;  that  I  was 
too  tyrannical.  In  fact,  she  dared  to  turn  mo 
off  and  take  tho  other  fellow.  Maffeo  was  a 
good  fellow.  I  was  sorry  for  him,  but  I  had  to 
keep  my  word. 

"The  third  time  was  only  n  month  ago.  I 
robbed  a  Frenchman,  out  of  pure  patriotism — 
the  French,  you  know,  are,  our  oppressors — and 
kept  what  I  found  about  him  to  rcvard  me  for 
my  gallant  act.  The  Government,  however, 
did  not  look  upon  it  in  a  proper  light.  They 
sent  out  a  detachment  to  arrest  me.  I  was 
caught,  and  by  good  fortune  brought  to  an  inn. 
At  night  I  was  bound  tightly  and  shut  up  in 
the  same  room  with  the  soldiers.  The  inn- 
keeper's daughter,  a  friend  of  mine,  came  in 
for  something,  and  by  mere  chance  dropped  a 
knife  behind  me.  I  got  it,  cut  my  cords,  and 
wncn  tncy  were  «*u  iisiccp  1  ucp&rtcu.  licioro 
going  I  left  the  knife  behind ;  and  w  here  now, 
Signore,  do  you  think  I  left  it  ?" 


"  I  have  no  idea." 

"  Yuu  would  never  guess.     You  never  woal4 
have  thought  of  it  yourself." 
"  Where  did  yon  leave  it?" 
"In  tho  heart  of  the  Captain." 


CHAPTER  XLI. 

FINAL  ATTACK  OF  KBtirFORCKMBNTS  OF  BRI0AND8. 
— TUE  IX)DOE  CLVB  nEFISS  THEM  ANIJ  KEFELS 
TUEM.— HOW  TO  MAKE  A  BAKHICADE.  —  FRA- 
TEBNIZATION  OF  AMERICAN  EAOLE  AND  OAIXIC 
COCK. — TUEBE'S  NOTBINO  LIKE  LEATUER. 

"  It  is  certainly  a  singular  position  for  nn 
American  citizen  to  be  jilaced  in,"  said  tho 
Senator.  "To  come  from  a  cotton-mill  to 
such  a  regular  out-and-out  piece  of  fighting  as 
this.  Yet  it  seems  to  me  that  fighting  comes 
natural  to  the  American  blood." 

"They've  been  very  quiet  for  ever  so  long," 
said  Mr.  Figgs ;  "perhaps  they've  gone  away." 

"  I  don't  believe  they  have,  for  two  reasons. 
The  first  is,  they  are  robbers,  and  want  our 
money;  the  second,  they  are  Italians,  and 
want  revenge.  They  won't  let  us  ofl'  so  easily 
after  the  drubbing  we  gave  them.'' 

Thus  Buttons,  and  tho  others  rather  coin- 
cided in  his  opinion.  For  several  miles  further 
on  the  road  ran  through  a  dangerous  place, 
where  men  might  lurk  in  ambush,  and  pick 
them  off  like  so  many  snipe.  They  rather  en- 
joyed a  good  fight,  but  did  not  care  about  be- 
ing regularly  shot  down.     So  they  waited. 

It  was  three  in  the  afternoon.  Fearfully 
hot,  too,  but  not  so  bad  as  it  might  have  been. 
High  trees  sheltered  them.  They  could  rumi- 
nate under  the  shade.  Tho  only  difficulty  was 
tho  want  of  food.  What  can  a  garrison  do  that 
is  ill  provided  with  eatables  ?  The  Doctor's 
little  store  of  crackers  and  cheese  wf.s  divided 
and  eaten.  A  bosket  of  figs  and  oranges  fol- 
lowed.    Still  they  were  hungry. 

"Well,"  said-Dick,  "there's  one  thing  we 
can  do  if  the  worst  comes  to  the  worst." 

"What's  that?'' 

"Go  through  the  forest  in  Indian  file  back 
to  Perugia." 

"That's  all  very  well,"  said  the  Senator, 
stubbornly,  "  but  we're  not  going  back.  No, 
Sir,  not  a  step!" 

"  I'm  tired  of  this,"  said  Buttons,  ini])atiently. 
"I'll  go  out  as  scout." 

"  I'll  go  too,"  said  Ijjck. 

"  Don't  go  far,  boys,"  said  tho  Senator,  iii 
the  tone  of  an  anxious  father. 

"  No,  not  \c\y.  That  hill  yonder  will  be  a 
good  lookout  place." 

"Yes,  if  you  are  not  seen  yourselves." 

"  We'll  risk  that.  If  we  see  any  signs  of 
these  scoundrels,  and  find  that  they  see  us,  wo 
will  firo  to  let  you  know.  If  we  remain  undis- 
covered we  will  come  hack  quietly." 

very  ^cii.     iii.i  X  uuzi  z  tiintz  ic  li^-  j'V"  is^ 
off  alone,  my  boys ;  it's  too  much  of  an  exposure." 

"  Nonsense." 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


"  I  have  A  great  mind  to  go  too." 
"  No,  no,  you  had  better  stay  to  hold  onr 
place  of  retreat.     We'll  come  back,  you  know. " 
"Very  well,  then." 

The  Senator  snt  himiclf  down  a^in,  and 
Duttoni  and  Dick  vanished  amonc  the  trees. 
An  hour  paised ;  the  three  in  the  barricade  be- 
Run  to  feel  uneasy;  the  prisoners  were  asleep 
and  snoring. 

"  Hang  it,"  cried  the  Senator,  "  I  wish  I  had 
gone  with  them !" 

"  Never  fear,"  said  the  Doctor,  "  they  are 
too  nimble  to  be  caught  just  yet.  If  they  had 
been  caught  yo-i'd  have  heard  a  little  firing." 

At  that  very  moment  the  loud  rei)ort  of  a 
rifle  burst  through  the  air,  followed  by  a  sec- 
ond ;  upon  which  a  whole  volley  poured  out. 
The  three  started  to  their  feet. 

"  They  are  found !"  cried  the  Senator.  "  It's 
about  a  mile  away.     Be  ready  I" 

Mr.  Figgs  had  two  rifles  by  his  side,  and  snt 
looking  at  the  distance  with  knitted  brows. 
He  had  received  some  terrific  bruises  in  the 
Into  melee,  but  was  prepared  to  fijrht  till  he 
(lied.  He  had  said  but  little  through  the  da). 
He  was  not  talkative.  His  courage  was  of  a 
'iniot  order.  Ho  felt  the  solemnity  of  the  oc- 
casion. It  was  a  little  diflferent  from  sitting  at 
the  liead  of  a  Board  of  br.nk  directors,  or  shav- 
in;;  notes  in  a  private  office.  At  the  end  of 
.ibout  ten  minutes  there  was  a  crackling  among 
the  hiislies.  Buttonc  and  Dick  came  tumbling 
liown  into  the  road. 

"  Get  icady !     Quick !     Thev'ro  hero !' 
"AUreadv." 
"All  loaded?" 
"Yes." 

"  We  saw  them  away  down  the  road,  behind 
a  grovT  of  trees.  We  couldn't  resist,  and  so 
fired  at  them.  The  whole  band  leaped  up 
n-wing,  and  saw  us,  and  fired.  They  then  set 
off  up  the  road  to  this  place,  thinking  that  we 
are  divided.  They're  only  a  few  rods  away." 
"  How  many  are  there  of  them  ?" 
"Fourteen." 

"  They  must  have  got  some  more.  There 
were  only  ten  able-bodied,  unwoundcd  men 
when  they  left." 

"  Less,"  said  the  Doctor ;  "  mv 'pistol— " 
"H'st!" 

At  this  moment  they  heard  the  noise  of  foot-  i 
steps.  A  band  of  armed  mm  came  in  sight. 
Halting  cautiously,  they  examined  the  barri- 
cade. Bang !  It  was  the  Doctor's  revolver. 
Down  went  one  fellow,  yelling.  The  rest  were 
frantic.  Like  fools,  they  made  a  rush  at  the 
barricade. 

Bang  !  a  second  shot,  another  wounded.  A 
volley  was  the  answer.  Like  fools,  the  brigands 
fired  against  the  barricade.  No  damage  was 
done.     The  barricade  was  too  strong. 

The  answer  to  this  was  a  withering  volley 
from  the  Americans.  The  bandits  reeled.  st.".£r. 
gercd,  fell  back,  shrieking,  groaning,  and  curs- 
ing. Two  men  lay  dead  on  the  road.  The 
oJicrs  took  refuge  in  the  woods. 


97 

For  two  honn  an  incessant  flro  \\t»  kept  np 
between  the  bandits  in  the  woods  and  the 
Americans  in  their  retreat.  No  damage  was 
done  on  either  side. 

"Those  fello<«s  try  so  hard  they  almost  de- 
servo  to  lick  n«,"  said  the  Senator  drjiy. 

Suddenly  there  came  from  ofur  the' piercing 
blast  of  a  trum|>ct. 

"  Hark ;"  tried  Buttons. 
Again. 

A  cavalry  tmmpet ! 

"They  are  horsemen  !"  cried  Dick,  who  was 

holding  his  ear  to  the  ground ;  and  then  added : 

"'Irrrruv  fi  Lmrndduv  aftifi  (tri'irof  olaTa  j3d'/Jiti," 

"  Hey  ?  •  cried  the  Senator ;  "  water  barley  ?" 

Again  the  sound.     A  dead  silence.     All  list- 

ening. 

And  now  the  tnimp  of  horses  was  pliiinlv 
heard.  The  firing  had  ceased  altogetlicr  since 
the  first  blast  of  the  trpinpet.  The  bandits  dis- 
appeared. The  horsemen  drew  nearer,  and 
were  evidently  quite  numerous.  At  last  they 
burst  upon  the  scene,  and  the  little  garrison 
greeted  them  with  a  wild  hurrah.  They,  were 
French  dragoons,  about  thirty  in  number. 
Prominent  among  them  was  I'ictro,  who  at 
first  stared  wildly  around,  and  then,  seeing  the 
Americans,  gave  a  cry  of  joy. 

The  travellers  now  ranfe  out  into  the  road, 
and  quick  and  hurried  greetings  were  inter- 
changed. The  commander  of  the  troop,  learn- 
ing that  the  bandits  had  just  left,  sent  off  two- 
thirds  of  his  men  in  pursuit,  and  remained  with 
the  rest  behind. 

Pietro  had  a  long  story  to  tell  of  his  own  d'l- 
ings.  He  had  wandered  through  the  forest  till 
he  came  to  Perugia.  The  commandant  there 
listened  to  his  story,  but  declined  tending  any 
of  his  men  to  the  assistance  of  the  travellers. 
Pietro  was  in  despair.  Fortunately  a  small 
detachiiient  of  French  cavalry  had  just  arrived 
at  Perugia  on  their  way  to  Rome,  and  the  cap- 
taJn  was  more  merciful.  The  gallant  fellow  at 
onco  set  out,  and,  led  by  Pietro,  arrived  at  the 
place  most  opportunely. 

It  did  not  take  long  to  get  the  coach  ready 
agair?.  One  horse  was  found  to  be  so  badly 
wounded  that  it  had  to  be  killed.  The  others 
were  slightly  hurt.  The  baggage  and  trunks 
were  riddled  with  bullets.  These  were  once 
more  piled  np,  the  wounded  prisoners  placed 
inside,  and  the  travellers,  not  being  rble  to  get 
in  all  together,  took  turns  in  walking. 

At  the  next  town  the  prisoners  were  deliv- 
ered up  to  the  authorities.  The  travellers  cel- 
ebiTited  their  victory  hy  a  grand  banquet,  to 
which  they  invited  the  French  oflScer  and  the 
soldiers,  who  came  on  with  them  to  this  town. 
Uproar  prevailed.  The  Frenchmen  were  ex- 
uberant in  compliments  to  the  gallantry  of  their 
entertainers.  Toasts  followed. 
"  The  Emperor  and  President  1" 

li  A —.«.:.—  --J  T;Vi_-^..i 

"Tricolor  and  stars!" 

"  The  two  countries  intertwined !" 

'•  A  song,  Dick  !"  cried  the  Senator,  who  al- 


'Wf{s^mm6^^mmMm^mim 


:l^^^^:^l 


»<) 


THE  LODGE  CLUB;  OR,  ITALY  IS  MDCCCLLK. 


AS   IMTKBMATIOMAL  ATTAOt, 


ivays  liked  to  hear  Dick  sing.  Dick  looked 
modest. 

"Strike  iip!" 

"What?" 

"  The  '  Scoodoo  nbsrook  !'  "  cried  Mr  Figps. 

"No ;   '  The  Old  Cow  !'  "  cried  Btittons. 

"'The  Pig  by  the  Bunks  of  tlie  Uivcr  I'" 
s:iid  the  Doctor. 

"  Dick,  don't,"  snid  the  Senator.  "  I'll  tell 
voa  nn  appropriate  song.  These  Frenclimcn 
helicve  in  France.  Wo  believe  in  America. 
Each  one  thinks  there  is  nothing  like  Leather. 
Mug  '  Leather,'  then." 

FiGGS.  -V 

Buttons.  C  "  Yes,  'Leather !' " 

The  Doctor.  } 

"  Then  let  it  be  '  Leather,'  "  snid  Dick  ;  and 
he  Struck  np  the  following  (which  may  not  be 
obtained  of  any  of  the  music  publishers),  to  a 
very  peculiar  tune : 

I. 

"  Merc  iry !  Patron  of  melody, 

Father  of  Muaic  aotl  Ixjril, 
Thine  was  the  fkill  that  invented 

Mu8ic*8  harmonious  chord. 
Sweet  were  the  iounds  that  arose, 

Sweetly  they  blended  together ; 
Tlni3,  in  the  ages  of  old, 

Mut<ic  aroee  out  of— I^£atiieb  ! 

ri'"iin  ChnritA  by  all  the  Compnni/.l 

"  Then  Leather !  eing  leather :  mv  l^-ds  ! 
Mercury  I  Music:!  and  Leather!!: 
Of  all  the  thlnf^  under  the  ?un. 

Hurrah!  there  is  nothiut;  lilie  Lcathir! 

lExtra  Choru«,deieriptive  cf  a  Cubller  hanmuriitg  on 

"  Then  Rub  a  dub,  dub! 
liiib  a  dub,  dub  1 1 
Kub  a  dub,  dub !  1 1  soy  we ! 


n. 


^'  War  Is  a  wonderful  wience, 

Mar-'  waa  its  patron,  Tni  told , 
Ilow  illd  ho  ared  to  accoutre  > 

Armica  In  battles  of  old  • 
With  casque,  and  with  Bllnp,  and  with  shield. 

With  bow-string  and  breastplate  tOi;elhcr; 
Thu:",  in  the  a^'es  of  old. 

War  waa  begun  out  of— Leatiieb  ! 

[CAoruA] 

"  Then  I.eatherl  sine  Leather,  my  Isdn! 
Mars  and  liis  weapt^n^  of  I.enther  I 
Of  all  the  thinpi  under  ilie  sun. 
Hurrah  1  there  is  nuthiug  like  X.eafA<r.' 

iExtra  CAop's.l 

"Huh  a  dub,  dub! 
Rub  aduh,dubll 
Rub  a  dub,  dub !  1 1  tay  we  I 


III. 

*'  Ijove  is  a  pleasinp  emotion. 

All  of  U4  know  it  by  heart ; 
Whence,  can  you  tell  me,  arises 

Ijove'a  overpowerinff  smart  T 
Tipped  with  an  adamant  barb, 

Uracefully  tnfle<l  witli  feather, 
Love's  irresistible  dart 

Cornea  from  a  quiver  of— LeatiiibI 

[C/iono.] 

"  Then  Leather !  sing  Leather,  my  lads  1 
Darts!  and  Distraction  1!  and  Leather! 1 1 
Of  all  the  thlnf^s  under  the  sun. 
Hurrah:  there  is  nothing  lilte  Leathtrl 

[Extra  Chonif.] 

"  Kuh  ai'nh,  dnh! 
Rub  a  dub, dub!  I 
Rub  a  dub,  dub! ! !  aay  wel 


IV. 

'■'  Oi'rtluia   Hfultfuul  lii«ui  npBcChcA) 

Poets  their  ven«ea  recitwl, 
Statesmcu  promul^ted  edicts. 
Sages  tliclr  maxima  iodited. 


•g^sf^M^ 


THE  DOLGE  CLUB  J  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCTCLIX. 


PitrFhtncnt,  injr  U<li>,  w*4  the  «rtlrl« 

All  umkI  to  wrti«i  on  t<<i^iti4-r  r 
Tliiii  tha  Krpiitillc  cii  U'ttin 
t<pnog  luto  Ufa  uut  uf— l.rAT.iti . 
IClMnii] 

" Then  liemhiY '.  ilng  I-Mlhrr.  mjr  liulnl 
riwtry  ]  Srienra  '.  1  kikI  l^nther  1 : 1 
Of  all  the  Ihlni^  iiDiIrr  the  nin, 
Uurnli  1  tberc  U  ootlilng  like  Lmthtr  I 
IK^Ira  Ckoru:] 

"KabBdiih.iIiib! 
Kubailiili,  iliih!' 
Bub  a  dub,  dublll  lay  we!** 


CHAPTER  XLII. 

FLORENCE.— DKSI>ERATION    OF   nfTTONS,  OP   MB. 
FIOOS,  A.NO  OP  TUB   DOfTOll. 

Florksce,  the  Fair  !— Certninly  it  u  the 
fairest  of  cities.     Beautiful  for  situation  ;    the 
joy  of  the  whole  earth  !     It  has  a  beauty  thot 
grows  upon  the  heart.     The  Arno  is  the  sweet- 
est of  rivers,  its  valley  the  loveliest  of  vales  ; 
luxuriant  meadows ;  rich  vineyards ;  proves  of  ' 
olive,  of  orange,  and  of  chestnut;  forests  of  cy- 
press ;  long  lines  of  mulberry ;  tlic  dark  purplo 
of  the  distant  Apennines ;  innumerable  white 
villas  peeping  through  the  surrounding  groves  ;  ; 
the  mysterious  haze  of  the  sunset,  which  throws 
a  softer  charm  over  the  scene  ;  the  magnificent 
cattle;  the  fine  horses;  the  bewitcliiiig  girls, 
with   their   broad   hats  of  Tuscan   straw ;    the 
city  itself,  with   its  gloomy  old   palaces,  iroii- 
^rated  and   massive  walled,  from  the  ancient 
holds  of  street-fighting  nobles,  long  since  jinsscd 
away,  to  tlie  severe   Etruscan   majesty  of  the 
I'itli  I'aluce  ;   behold  Florence!  *t 

It  istlie  abode  of  peace,  gentleness,  and  kind- ; 
ly  pleasure  (or  at  any  rate  it  was  so  wlicii  the  : 
Club  was  there).     Every  stone  in  its  pavement 
has  a  ebarni.     Utiier  cities  may  ^ilcuse ;  Elor- 


90 

C.1C0  alone  can  win  enduring  love.  It  is  one 
of  the  very  few  «  hich  a  man  can  select  as  a  per- 
manent home,  and  never  repent  of  his  decision. 
In  fact,  it  is  probably  the  only  city  on  earth 
which  a  stranger  can  live  in  and  mnko  for  him- 
self a  true  home,  so  pleasant  as  to  mnko  desire 
for  any  other  simply  impossible. 

In  Florence  there  is  a  large  English  popula- 
tion, drawn  there  by  two  i>owerful  attractions. 
The  first  is  the  beauty  of  the  place,  with  its 
healthy  iiimate,  its  unriralled  collections  of  art, 
and   iu  connection  with  the   world  at   large! 
The  second  is  the  astonishing  cheapness  of  liv- 
ing, though,  alas!  this  is  greatly  changed  from 
j  former   times,  since  Fl -renco  has  become  the 
I  capital  of  Italy.     Formerly  a  palace  could  bo 
I  rented  for  a  tiille,  troops  of  Mnrnnts  for  another 
trifle,  and  the   table  could   be   furnished  from 
day  to  day  with  rarities  and  delicncies  innumer- 
able for  another  trille.     It  is,  therefore,  a  para- 
dise for  ihe  respectable  poor,  the  needy  men  of 
intelligence,  ond  perhaps  it  mny  be  added,  fjr 
the  shabby  ;;cnteel.     There  is  a  glorious  con- 
gregation of  dilettante,  literati,  saranr; ;  a  bless- 
ed  brotherhood  of  artists  and  authors;  her,- 
gather  ixilitical   philosophers  of  every  grnde. 
It  was  all  this  even  under  the  Grand  Duke  of 
refreshing  memory;    hereafter   it   will   be  tlio 
same,  only,  perhaps,  a  little  more  so,  under  the 
new  influences  which  it  shall  acquire  and  exert 
as  the  metropolis  of  a  great  kingdom. 

The  Florentines  arc  the  most  polished  peopl) 
under  the  sun.  The  I'arisians  claim  this  prou  1 
I-re-emincnce,  but  it  can  not  bo  maintained. 
Amid  the  brilliancies  of  J'arisian  life  there  are 
fearful  memories  of  bloody  revolutions,  brutal 
figlits,  and  blood-thirsty  cruelties.  >"o  siidi 
events  ns  these  mar  the  fair  pa^'cs  of  later  Flor- 
entine history.     In  fact,  the  forliearaiice  and 


^^ 


m 


i'LOEESCE,  7B0a   SAN   .MlSIATHk 


■ .  j  ft:  v»  -  :     »   \ 


100 


THE  DODGE  CLLB;  Oil,  ITaLV  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


rim  PALACE. 


(.'  ntknoss  of  tlio  pr'o])lo  ha.o  been  pcrliaps  to 
llirir  ilisaJviintiiKL'.  Lifc  in  I'lorcnt'o  is  joy. 
'I'lio  scnsiitioii  of  living  is  of  itself  n  pleasure. 
l.ifj  in  that  duliiious  ntnio<])li(;re  becomes  a 
l.i„'hcr  stato  of  bciiij;.  It  is  tlic  proper  bonic 
f.ir  poets  and  artists.  Tbo>e  who  pretend  that 
lliere  is  any  thin;;  in  America  C(|ual  to  I'lor- 
mcc,  cither  in  climate,  laiul9cai)e,  or  atmos- 
phere, arei-imply  bunibiins.  ihjreuie  isuniijue. 
It  is  the  only  Alliens  of  tbo  niudern  world. 

The   streets  arc   cool   and   deii^'btfiil.      The 
great  bigii  bouses  kce^)  oQ'thc  niys  of  tlic  sun. 


Tbo  people  love  to  siioli  awny  the  preater  pnit 
(jf  their  liajipy  days.  They  loiter  aiouiid  the 
corners  or  under  the  porticoes  patbtriti);  news 
iiinl  retailing  the  same.  Hand-organs  arc  gen- 
erally discountenanced.     Happy  city  ! 

When  it  is  too  liot  in  'he  streets  there  is  the 
vast  cathedral — H  Duonio — dim,  i-hadowy,  mag- 
"nilicent,  its  gigantic  dome  snrpassed  only  by 
that  of  M.  I'eter'.s.  And  yet  in  the  twilight  of 
this  sacred  inlcriur,  where  there  dwells  so  much 
of  the  mysterious  gloom  only  found  in  the  Gothic 
catbedials  of.tlie  iioith,  many  iinU  greater  dc- 


FOVKTAIN   or   MilTlXE,   PALAZZO  VEUCII:0. 


TlIE  DOIMIE  CLLUj  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


Ml 


TUB   UlUUIJ, 


light  tlian  in  nil  the  dnzzlinr; 
splendor,  tlic  pomp,  ami  nlnry, 
and  mnjosty  of  the  Uoiiinn  tem- 
ple. Hcsido  it  rises  the  Cam- 
panile, as  lUi-  as  a  dream,  and 
in  appearance  almost  as  un- 
substantial. Not  far  off  is  the 
Baptistery,  with  its  gates  of 
bron/. ' — an  assemblage  of  glory 
whic!i  mi)j;lit  well  siitiico  fur 
one  city. 

Around  the  piazia  that  in- 
closes these  sacred  buildings 
tliey  sell  the  best  roasted  chest- 
nuts in  the  world.  Is  it  any 
wonder  tliat  Florence  is  so  at- 
tractive ? 

The  Dodge  Club  obtained 
furnished  apartments  in  a  fine 
largo  hotel  that  looked  out  on 
the  I'onte  della  Trinita  and  on 
the  Arno.  Beneath  was  the 
principal  promenade  in  tno 
city.  It  was  a  highly  agree- 
able residence. 

No  sooner  had  they  arrived 
than  Buttons  set  out  in  search 
of  the  Spaniards.  Three  days 
had  been  lost  on  the  road.  Ho 
was  half  afraid  that  those  three 
days  had  lost  him  the  S[«in- 
iards  altogether.  Three  days ! 
It  was  possible  that  they  had 
seen  Florence  in  that  time  and 
had  already  left.    The  though: 


ot  : 


iiiis    iiiauu 


iiutt.-.ns  I 


Cl^i     *,A- 


tremely  nen-ous.    He  spent  .he 
first  day  in  looking  over  all  ttio 


THE   CAMPANILI. 


t03 


THE  BODGE  CLUB;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIT 


i 


ttflCU  PALACE. 

hotels  in  the  city.  The  second  in  senrching 
throiiRli  ns  many  of  the  lodj^nK-houses  ns  wore 
likely  to  be  clioscn  hy  tlie  Spaniards.  The  third 
he  spent  in  meandering  disconsolately  through 
the  cafe's.  Still  there  were  no  signs  of  them. 
Upon  this  Buttons  fell  into  a  profound  melan- 
choly. In  fact  it  was  a  very  hard  case.  There 
seemed  nothing  left  for  him  to  do.  How  could 
he  find  tlicm  out? 

Dick  noticed  the  disquietude  of  his  friend, 
and  sympathized  with  him  deeply.  So  ho  lent 
his  aid  ,.  .  I  fon-'-!^cd  thionsh  the  city  as  indus- 
triously as  possible.  Yet  in  spite  of  every  ef- 
fort their  arduous  l.iliors  were  defeated.  So 
Buttons  became  hojx.'Iess. 

The  Senator,  however,  had  met  with  friends. 
The  American  Minister  at  Turin  happened  at 
that  time  to  be  in  Florence.  Him  the  Senator 
recollected  as  an  old  acquaintance,  and  also  as 
a  tried  companion  in  arms  through  many  a  po- 
litical campaign.  The  Minister  received  him 
with  the  most  cxnlxjrant  deliglit.  Dinner,  wine, 
feast  ofrcason,  flow  of  soul,  intcrclmnge  of  latest 
iicn:»,  oioiica  uf  rvcei.t  adventures  on  both  sides, 
laughter,  '■ompliments,  speculations  on  future 
party  prospects,  made  the  hours  of  an  entire 


afternoon  fly  like  lightning.     The  American  Eft* 
gle  wa«  never  more  convivial. 

The  Minister  wonld  not  let  Lim  go.  Ha 
made  him  put  up  at  his  hotel.  Ho  had  the 
entree  into  the  highest  Florentine  socictv.  Ho 
wonld  introduce  the  Senator  everywhere.  The 
Senator  wonld  have  an  opportunity  of  seeing 
Italian  manners  and  customs  such  as  was  very 
rarely  enjoyed.  The  Senator  was  delighted  at 
the  idea. 

But  Mr.  Fipgs  and  the  Doctor  began  to  show 
signs  of  weariness.  The  former  walked  with 
Dick  through  the  BoboH  gardens  and  confided 
all  his  soul  to  his  young  friend.  What  was  the 
use  of  an  elderly  man  like  him  putting  himself 
to  so  much  trouble  ?  He  had  seen  enough  of 
Italy.  He  didn't  want  to  see  any  more.  He 
would  much  -ather  be  safe  at  home.  Besides, 
the  members  of  the  Club  were  all  going  down 
the  broad  road  that  leadcth  to  ruin.  Buttons 
was  infatuated  about  those  Spaniards.  The 
Doctor  thought  that  he  (Dick)  was  involved  in 
some  mysterious  affair  of  a  similar  nature. 
Lastly,  the  Senator  wag  making  a  plijpge  into 
society.  It  was  loo  much.  The  ride  over  the 
Apennines  to  Bologna  might  be  interesting  for 
two  young  fellows  like  him  and  Buttons,  but 
was  unfit  for  an  elderiy  person.  Moreover,  he 
didn't  care  about  going  to  the  seat  of  war.  Ho 
had  seen  enough  of  fighting.  In  short,  iio  and 
the  Doctor  had  made  up  their  minds  to  go  back 
to  Paris  r!a  Leghorn  and  Marseilles. 

Diik     remonstrated,    expostulated,    coaxed. 
But  Mr.  FigjiS  was  inflexible. 


BOTTONg  JIILASCUOLT. 


THE  DODGE  CLUBj  OB,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX 


CHAPTER  XLUI. 

THB  SENATOR  ESTBAPPKB.  —  THB  WILES  AND 
WITCHERY  or  A  QUEEN  OF  SOCIETT.  —  HIS 
FATE  DESTINED  TO  BB,  AS  HE  THINKS,  ITAL- 
IAN COUNTESSES.  —  SENTIMENTAL  CONVERSA- 
TION. —  POETRY.  —  BEAUTY.  —  MOONLIOHT.  — 
KArTCRE.—DISTK.\.CTION.— BLISS  I 

The  blandishments  of  Florentino  society 
might  have  led  captive  a  sterner  soul  than  that 
of  the  Senator.  Whether  he  wished  it  or  not, 
ho  was  overcome.  His  friend,  the  Minister, 
took  him  to  the  houses  of  the  leaders  of  society, 
and  introduced  him  as  an  eminent  American 
statesman  and  member  of  the  Senute. 

Coald  any  recommendation  be  equal  to  that  ? 
For,  be  it  remembered,  it  was  the  Itevolutionary 
time.  Republicanism  ran  high.  America  was 
synonymous  with  the  Promised  Land.  To  be  a 
statesman  in  America  was  as  great  a  dignity  as 
to  be  prince  in  any  empire  on  earth.  Besides, 
it  was  infinitely  more  honored,  for  it  was  popa- 
lar.  The  eyes  of  the  struggling  people  were 
turned  to  that  country  which  showed  them  an 
example  of  republican  freedom. 

So  if  the  Florentines  received  the  Senator 
with  boundless  hospitality,  it  was  because  they 
admired  his  country,  and  reverenced  his  dignity. 
They  liked  to  consider  the  presence  of  the 
Americ|p  Minister  and  Senator  as  an  expres- 
sion of  the  good-will  of  the  American  Govern- 
ment. They  looked  upon  him  diplomatically. 
All  that  he  said  was  listened  to  with  the  deep- 
est respect,  which  was  none  the  less  when  they 
did  not  comprehend  a  word.  His  pithy  sen- 
tences, when  trandated  into  Italian,  bacame  the 
neatest  epigrams  in  the  world.  His  sujjges- 
tions  as  to  the  best  mode  of  elevating  and  en- 
riching the  country  were  considered  by  one  set 
as  the  profoundcst  philosophy,  and  by  another 
lis  the  keenest  satire.  They  were  determined 
to  lionize  him.  It  was  a  new  sensation  to  the 
Senator!  Ho  desired  to  prolong  it.  He  recall- 
ed the  lines  of  the  good  Watts : 

"My  wiUlnp;  noiil  woiiM  n  ny 
In  8ucb  a  frame  aa  lliU." 

He  thoiigiit  of  Dr.  Franklin  in  Paris,  "f  his  se- 
vere republicanism  amid  the  aristocratic  influ- 
ences around.  How  like  his  present  situation 
was  to  that  of  the  august  pliilosopher  ! 

The    marked  attention  wjjicli   the  Minister 
paid  to  the  Senator  added  greatly  to  the  impor- 
tance of  the  latter.     The  Florentines  reasoned 
thus:  A  Minister  is  a  great  man.     As  a  gen- 
eral thing  his  travelling  countrymen  pay  rcsf   ;t 
to  him.     What  then  must  be  the  position  of 
that  travelling  fellow-countryman  who  receives 
attention  instead  of  paying  it?     Wliat  would 
the  position  of  an  Englishman  need  to  bo  in  . 
order  to  gain  the  attention  of  the  British  Em-  ! 
Lassndor?      Ducal  at  least.       Hence   tliere   is  > 
only   ono    conclusion.     An  American  Senator 
r.iiks  with  iin  English  Duke. 

Others  went  beyond  this :  Mark  the  mniuipp 
forehead,  the  severe  eye,  the  cool,  self-possessed 
mien  of  this  American.  The  air  of  ono  accus- 
tomed to  rule.     Listen  to  his  pliilosophie  con- 


108 

renation.  One  of  America's  greatest  states- 
men. No  doubt  he  has  a  certain  proi^"  i  of 
becoming  President.  I'rjsident !  It  must  be 
so ;  and  that  account!*  .  the  attention  puid  by 
the  American  Embassador.  He,  of  course, 
wishes  to  be  continued  in  his  offioo  nndcr  -he 
next  administration.  After  all,  the  Florentines 
were  not  so  &r  out  of  the  way.  A  much  worse 
man  than  the  Senator  might  be  made  President. 
In  the  chapter  of  accidents  his  name,  or  the 
name  of  one  like  him,  might  carry  the  votes  of 
some  roaring  convention. 

For  two  or  three  days  the  Senator  was  the 
subject  of  an  eager  contest  among  all  the  lead- 
ers of  society.  At  length  there  appeared  upon 
the  scene  the  great  Victrix  in  a  thousand  con- 
tests snch  as  these.  The  others  fell  back  dis- 
comflted,  and  the  Senator  became  her  prey. 

The  Countess  di  Nottinero  was  not  exactly  a 
Recamier,  but  she  was  a  remarkably  brilliant 
woman,  and  the  acknowledged  leader  of  the 
liberal  part  of  Florentino  society.  Of  course, 
the  haughty  aristocratic  party  held  themselves 
grandly  aloof,  and  knew  nothing  either  of  her 
or  the  society  to  which  she  belonged. 

She  was  generally  known  as  La  Cca,  A  nick- 
name given  by  herenemies,  though  wliat  "  Cica  " 
meant  no  one  could  tell  exactly.  It  was  a  sort 
of  contraction  made  up  from  her  Christian  name, 
Cecilia,  as  some  thought ;  others  thought  it  was 
the  Italian  word  cica  given  on  account  of  some 
unknown  incident.  At  any  rate,  as  soon  as 
she  made  her  appearance  drivinsf  down  the 
Lungh'  Amo,  with  the  massive  form  of  the 
Senator  by  her  side,  his  fame  rose  up  to  its 
zenith.  He  became  more  remarked  than  ever, 
and  known  among  nil  classes  as  the  illustrious 
American  to  whom  belonged  the  certainty  of 
being  next  I'resident  of  the  United  States. 

Rumor  strengthened  as  it  grew.  Reports 
were  tirculated  which  would  certainly  have 
amazed  the  worthy  Senator  if  he  had  heard 
them  all.  It  was  said  that  he  was  the  special 
Plenipotentiary  Extraordinary  sent  by  the  Amer- 
ican Government  as  a  mark  of  their  deep  sym- 
pathy with  the  Italian  movement,  and  that  he 
was  emfiowered,  at  the  fii-st  apjiearance  of  a  new 
Government  in  Italy,  to  recognize  it  oificially 
as  a  first-class  Power,  and  thus  give  it  the 
mighty  sanction  of  the  United  States. 

What  wonder  that  all  eyes  were  turned  ad- 
miringly toward  him  wherever  lie  went.  But 
he  was  too  modest  to  notice  it.  He  little  know 
that  ho  was  the  chief  object  of  interest  to  every 
house,  hotel,  and  cafe  in  the  city.  Yet  it  w.-u 
a  fact. 

His  companions  lost  sight  of  him  for  some 
time.  Tlicy  heard  the  conversation  going  on 
about  the  siiyinRs  of  the  great  American.  They 
did  not  know  at  first  who  it  was  ;  but  at  length 
concluded  that  it  referred  to  the  Minister  from 
Turin. 

IL-d  Cica  did  her  T>art  yr^.^irrplloii';!'.'  v.t11  *  !1 
the  dilettanti,  the  artists,  authors,  political  phi- 
losopliers,  and  beaux  esiiriis  of  every  grade  fol- 
lowed the  example  of  La  Cica.      And  it  is  a 


\r  1  fdt-T.y;*:-  »»v.rf \ 


101 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  ITALY  IX  MDCCCLIX. 


fnct  thnt  by  the  mere  force  of  character,  apart 
from  any  adrentitions  aids  of  refinement,  the 
Senator  held  hi«  own  remarkably.  Yet  it  must 
be  confessed  that  he  was  at  times  extremely 
puzzled. 

Im  Cica  did  not  speak  the  best  English  in 
the  world ;  yet  that  could  not  recount  for  nil 
the  sinf^ular  remarks  which  she  made.  Still 
less  could  it  account  for  the  tender  interest  of 
her  manner.  She  had  remarkably  bright  eyes. 
V<\\y  wandered  those  eyes  so  often  to  his,  and 
why  did  they  beam  with  such  devotion — beam- 
ing for  a  moment  only  to  fall  in  sweet  innocent 
confusion  ?  La  Cica  had  tlie  most  fiscinating 
manners,  yet  they  were  often  perplexing  to  the 
Senator's  soul.  The  little  offices  which  she  re- 
quired of  him  did  not  ap]>oar  in  his  matter-of- 
fact  eyes  as  strictly  prudent.  Tlie  innate  gal- 
lantry wiiicli  he  possessed  carried  liim  bravely 
fllong  through  much  thnt  was  bemldering  to  his 
nerves.  Yet  he  was  often  in  danger  of  running 
away  in  terror. 

"The  Countess,"  he  thought,  "is  a  most  rc- 
marliable  fine  woman  ;  but  she  docs  use  her  eyes 
unconimon,  and  1  do  wish  she  wouldn't  be  quite 
so  demonstrative." 

The  pood  Senator  had  never  before  enconnter- 
ed  a  thorough  woman  of  the  world,  and  was  ns 
ignorant  as  a  child  of  the  innumerable  little 
harmless  arts  by  which  the  power  of  such  a  one 
is  e.\tended  and  secured.  At  Inst  the  Senator 
came  to  tliis  conclusion.  La  Cica  was  desper- 
ately in  love  with  him. 

She  appeared  to  be  a  widow.  At  least  she 
had  no  liiisb.ind  thnt  ho  had  ever  seen  ;  and 
therefore  to  the  Senator's  mind  she  must  be  a 
spinster  or  a  widow.  From  the  general  style  in 
which  slie  was  addressed  he  concluded  that  she 
was  tlie  latter.  Now  if  the  i)oor  Cica  was  hope- 
lessly in  love,  it  must  be  stopped  at  once.  For 
lie  was  a  married  man,  and  his  good  litfy  still 
lived,  with  a  very  large  family,  most  of  the  mem- 
bers of  wliich  had  grown  up. 

All  Cira  ought  to  know  tliis.  SIic  ought  in- 
deed. But  let  the  icnowlcdge  be  given  delicate- 
ly, not  abruptly.  lie  confided  liis  little  difficulty 
to  his  friend  the  Mini^^ter.  The  Minister  only 
laughed  heartily. 

"  But  give  nie  ynnr  opinion." 

The  Minister  held  his  sides,  and  lauglied  more 
immodoratcly  than  ever. 

"  It's  no  laujihing  matter,''  said  the  Senator. 
'  •  It's  f cyous.  I  think  you  might  give  an  opin- 
ion." 

But  the  Minister  declined.  A  broad  grin 
wiCiithcd  his  face  during  all  the  remainder  of 
his  stay  at  Florence.  In  fact,  it  is  said  that  it 
has  remained  ther^  ev<>r  since. 

The  Senator  fdt  i;:  lignnnt,  but  his  course 
>v<\s  taken.  On  the  following  evening  they 
walked  on  the  balcony  of  La  Cica's  noble  resi- 
dence. She  was  sentimental,  devoted,  charm- 
ing. 

The  conversation  of  a  fascinating  woman 
does  not  look  so  well  when  reported  ns  it  is 
when  uttered.     Ilcr  power  is  in  her  tone,  her 


glance,  her  manner.  Who  can  catch  the  era- 
nescent  beauty  of  her  expression  or  the  deep 
tenderness  of  her  well-modulated  voice  ?  Who 
indeed  ? 

"Docs  7"  scene  please  you,  my  Senator  f 

"  Very  much  indeed." 

"  Youar  countrymen  haf  tol  me  zey  wool  J  like 
to  stay  here  allowny." 

"  It  is  a  beautiful  place." 

"Didyouaiver  see  any  thin  moaire  loafely?" 
And  the  Countess  looked  full  in  his  face. 

"Never,"  said  the  Senator,  earnestly.  The 
next  instant  he  blushed.  lie  had  been  betrayed 
into  a  compliment. 

The  Countess  sighed. 

"  Ilelas !  my  Senator,  thnt  it  is  not  pairmittcd 
to  monitals  to  socintc  ns  zey  would  laike." 

"'Your  Senator,'"  thought  the  gentlcmnn 
thus  addressed ;  "  how  fond,  how  tender— poor 
thing!  poor  thing!" 

"I  wish  that  Italy  was  nearer  to  the  States," 
said  he. 

"  IIov»  T  adamiar  youar  stylo  of  .mind,  so  dif- 
forcnte  from  ze  Italiann.  You  are  so  strong — 
so  nobilo.  Yet  would  I  laike  to  see  moar  of  zc 
poetic  in  you." 

"I  always  loved  poetry,  marm,"  said  the 
Senator,  desperately. 

"Ah — good — nais — eccelente.  I  ap  plecs 
at  zat,"  cried  the  Countess,  with  much  anima- 
tion. "  You  would  loafe  it  moar  eef  you  knew 
Italiano.  Your  langua  ees  not  sufficiente  musi- 
ealo  for  pontry." 

"  It  is  not  so  soft  a  language  as  the  /-talinn." 

"Ah— no — not  so  soft.  Very  well.  And 
what  theenka  you  of  ze  Italiano  ?" 

"  The  sweetest  language  I  ever  heard  in  all 
my  bom  days." 

"Ah,  now — you  hev  not  heard  much  of  ze 
Italiano,  my  Senator." 

"I  have  heard  you  speak  often,"  said  the 
Senator,  na'ively. 

"Ah,  you  compliment !  I  sot  you  was  aboove 
flattera." 

And  the  Countess  playfully  tapped  his  arm 
with  her  little  fan 

"  What  Ingclis  poet  do  you  loafe  best  f" 

"  Poet  ?  English  poet  ?"  said  the  Senator, 
with  some  surj'  ^e.  "  Oh — why,  marm,  I  tliink 
Watts  is  about  ilie  best  of  the  lot!" 

"Watt?  Was  ho  a  poet?  I  did  not  know 
z.it.  He  who  invented  ze  stim-injnine  ?  Ar.d 
yet  if  he  was  a  poet  it  is  naturale  zat  you  loafo 
hin.  best." 

"Steam-engine?  Oh  no!  This  one  was  o 
minister." 

"  A  nioeneestaire  ?  Ah!  an  abbe'?  I  know 
him  not.   Yet  IhaCrcad  mos  of  all  youar  ]x)ets." 

"He  made  uj)  liymiis,  marm,  and  psalms — 
for  instance:  '  Watts's  Divine  Hymns  and 
Spin,    'il  Songs.' " 

"  Songs  ?  Spiritnelle  ?  Ah,  I  mus  at  once 
procuaire  ze  works  of  Wntt.  wliii-li  wns  favorit 
poet  of  my  Senator." 

"A  lady  of  such  intelligence  ns  you  would 
li'. '  the  iiOQt  Watts,"  said  the  Senator,  firmly. 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


105 


"IIo  is'tho  best  known  bv  far  of  nil  our  po- 
sts." 

"  What  ?  better  zan  Snkcspeare,  Milton,  Bni- 
ron  ?    You  much  surpnuss  nic." 

"  lietter  known  and  better  'oved  than  the 
whole  lot.  Why,  his  jioctry  is  known  by  heart 
throu.h  all  Enfjland  and  America." 

"Merciful  Heaven!  what  you  tell  me!  ces 
ect  possbl !  An  yet  he  is  not  known  hero  cfcn 
by  name.  It  would  plecs  me  mooch,  my  Sen- 
ator, to  hairo  you  make  one  quotitionc.  Know 
you  Watt  ?  Tell  to  mo  some  words  of  his  which 
I  may  rcmembaire." 

"I  have  a  shockinc  bad  memorj-." 

"Badmcmora!    Oli,  l)iit  you  remember  some- 
'hin,  zis  moa  bcautfid  charm  nait— you  haf  a 
notiile  soul— you  mus  bo  affocta  by  beauty— by  ' 
zj  ideal.     Make  for  a  mo  one  quotationo."  I 

And  she  rested  her  little  hand  on  the  Sena-  | 
t.ii's  arm,  and  looked  up  inc  loringly  in  his  face. 
The  Senator  looked  foolish.     He  felt  even  I 

liiorO  so.      Here  V^as  s,  hp^titif:!]  wnrr:"':    '-.V*  iii-f  . 

and   liiuk  showing  a   tender   interest   in   him.  i 
PerplexinR— but  very  flattering  after  all.     So 
he  replied :  | 


I  '•  You  will  not  let  me  refuse  ron  any  thine" 
I  "Aim!  you  arc  vera  willin  to  refuse.  It  is 
difficulty  for  me  to  excitare  youar  regards. 
You  arc  fill  with  the  grands  ideas.  Bnt  come 
—will  you  spik  for  mo  some  from  your  favorit 
Watt  ?" 

"Well,  if  you  wish  it  so  much,"  said  the 
Senator,  kindly,  and  he  hesitated. 

"  Ah — I  do  wis  it  so  much  !" 

"Ehem!" 

"  Begin,"  said  the  Countess.  "  Behold  me. 
I  listen.  I  hear  evorysin,  and  will  rcmem- 
baire it  forava." 

The  only  thing  that  the  Senator  could  think 
of  was  tlic  verse  which  had  been  running  in  his 
head  for  the  last  few  days,  its  measured  rhythm 
keeping  time  with  every  occupation  : 

"  '  My  willing  soul  would  stay — ' " 

"  Stop  one  moment,"  said  the  Countess.  "  I 
wecsli  to  learn  it  from  yon  ;•"  nnd  she  looked 
fondly  and  tenderly  up,  but  instantly  dropped 


"  '  Mi.  willina  sol  wooda  sta — ' '' 
"In  such  a  {r<- m  as  this,'"  prompted  the 
Senator. 


100 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


"  '  Ecn  locha  fraroai  rees.'  Wait — '  Ma  will- 
ina  sol  wooda  ica  in  socha  framas  sees.'  Ah, 
oppropriat !  but  conld  I  hope  zat  you  were  true 
to  zose  lines,  my  Senator?     Well  ?" 

"  '  And  sit  and  sing  herself  away,' "  said  the 
Senator,  in  a  faltering  voire,  and  ItroRkinR  out 
into  a  cold  perspiration  for  fear  of  eoramit- 
ting  himself  by  such  nncoramonly  strong  lan- 
guage. 

"  '  Ansit  ansin  hnssaf  awai,'  "  repented  the 
Countess,  licr  face  lighting  up  with  a  sweetly 
conscious  expression. 

The  Senator  paused. 

"Well?" 

"I— ehem!     I  forget." 

"Forget?     Impossible!'' 

"  I  do  really." 

"  Ah  now !  Forget  ?  I  sec  by  younr  face — 
you  dcsnve.     Say  on." 

The  Countess  a^inin  gently  touched  liia  arm 
with  both  of  her  little  hands,  and  held  it  as 
though  she  would  clasp  it. 

"  Have  you  fear?    Ah,  cruel  I" 

Tlie  Senator  turned  pale,  but  finding  refusal 
impossib)"^,  boldly  finished: 

'• '  To  >. .  criasting  bliss  * — theikj !" 

"'To  affarlastin  blees  than'  Stop.  I  re- 
pent it  nil :  '  My  willina  sol  wooda  stn  in  socha 
frnnins  zees,  ansit  ansin  hassaf  awai  toafTarlastin 
bices  thar.'     Am  I  right?" 

"  Yes,"  said  the  Senator,  meekly. 

"I  knew  you  war  a  poetic  sola,"  said  the 
Countess,  confidingly.  "  You  air  honesto — 
true — you  can  not  desavc.  When  you  spik  I 
can  bcliv  you.  Ah,  my  Senator!  an  you  can 
si)ik  zis  i)oetry  ! — at  soch  a  taimo  1  I  nefare 
knew  Iiefoare  zat  you  was  so  impassione! — nn 
you  nir  so  artaful !  You  breeng  ze  confursa- 
zione  to  beauty — to  pontrj- — to  zo  poet  Watt — 
so  you  may  spik  verses  mos  impassione  I  Ah  I 
what  do  you  mean?  Santissima  mndrc!  how 
I  wish  you  spik  Italinno." 

The  Countess  drew  nearer  to  him,  but  her 
approach  only  deepened  his  perplexity. 

"  IIow  that  poor  thing  docs  love  me  I"  siprhod 
the  Senator.  "Law  bless  it!  she  can't  help 
it  —  can't  help  it  nohow.  She  is  a  goner  ; 
and  what  can  I  do?  I'll  have  to  leave  Flor- 
ence. Oh,  why  did  I  quit  Buttons!  Oh, 
why—" 

Tlic  Coimtcss  was  standing  close  beside  him 
in  n  tender  mood  waiting  for  liim  to  lireak  the 
silence.  IIow  could  he?  lie  had  been  utter- 
ing words  which  sounded  to  her  like  love  ;  and 
she — "  a  widow!  a  widow  I  wretclied  man  that 
I  ami" 

There  was  a  pnuse.  Tlie  longer  it  lasted 
t!io  more  awkward  the  Senator  felt.  AVh.at 
ujKin  enrth  was  he  to  do  or  say?  Whiit  husi- 
ncss  had  lie  to  go  and  quote  poetry  to  widows? 
What  nn  old  fool  he  must  be  !  But  the  Count- 
ess was  very  far  from  feeling  awkward.     As- 

face  expressing  the  tonderest  solicitude. 
"What  ails  my  Senator  ?  " 
"  Why  ths   fact   is,  marra — I   foci  sad — at 


leaving  Florence.  I  must  go  shortly.  My  wife 
has  written  summoning  mo  homo.  The  chil- 
dren are  down  with  the  measles." 

Oh,  base  fabrication!  Oh,  false  Senator! 
There  wasn't  a  word  of  truth  in  tlint  remark. 
You  spoke  so  because  you  wished  J.a  Cica  to 
know  that  you  had  a  wife  and  family.  Yet  it 
was  very  badly  done. 

Im  Cica  changed  neither  her  attitude  nor  her 
expression.  Evidently  the  existence  of  his 
wife,  and  tho  melancholy  situation  of  his  nn- 
fortrnate  children,  awaked  no  sympathy. 

"  But,  my  Senator — did  you  not  say  you 
wnoda  seeng  yousellcf  away  to  afl'arlastcen 
belces  ?" 

"  Oh,  marm,  it  was  a  quotation — only  a  quo- 
tation." 

But  at  this  critical  juncture  the  conversation 
was  broken  up  by  tho  arrival  of  a  number  of 
ladies  and  gentlemen. 

But  conld  tho  Senator  have  known  ! 

Could  ho  but  have  known  how  and  where 
thoso  words  would  confront  him  again  ! 


CHAPTER  XLIV. 

"MORERE  niAGOKA,  NOV  ENIM  IN  C(ET.fM  AIV 
SCEJiSlTRl'S  ES." — THE  APOTHEOSIS  OE  THE  SEN- 
ATOR (NOTHINO  I.E88— IT  WAS  A  MO.MENT  IN 
WHICH  A  MAN  MIGHT  WISH  TO  DIE— THOCGII, 
OF  COURSE,  THE  SENATOR  DIDN'T  DIE). 

Strolling  through  the  streets  day  by  day 
Buttons  and  Dick  beheld  the  triumph  of  the 
Senator.  They  gazed  on  it  from  afar,  and  in 
amazement  saw  their  old  companion  suddenly 
lifted  up  to  a  position  which  tln-y  could  not 
hope  to  gain.  The  companion  of  nobles — tho 
nssooiate  of  bemix  csjirils — the  friend  of  tho 
wealthy,  the  great,  and  the  proud  ;  what  in  the 
world  was  the  cause  of  this  sudden,  this  unpar- 
alleled leap  forward  to  the  very  liighest  point 
of  honor  ?  Who,  in  the  nnme  of  goodness,  was 
that  dashing  woman  with  whom  he  was  always 
driving  al>ont  ?  Who  were  thoso  fair  ladies 
with  whom  he  vas  forever  promenading  ?  Plain- 
ly tlie  chief  people  of  the  land  ;  bnt  how  the  mis- 
chief did  he  get  among  them  ?  'I'licy  were  be- 
wildered even  though  the  half  of  tlie  frutli  had 
not  l)cgun  to  dawn  upon  their  minds.  They 
never  snw  him  to  ask  him  aliout  it,  nnd  for 
some  time  only  looked  ujion  him  from  a  dis- 
tance. 

"  Do  yon  give  it  up  ?"  asked  Buttons. 

"  I  give  it  u|i.'' 

"  And  I  tdo."' 

"At  nny  rate  the  United  States  niiglit  have 
many  a  worse  representative." 

"  But  I  wonder  how  be  can  get  along.  IIow 
can  he  manage  to  hold  his  own  anion;.'  the.se  re- 
fined, over-cultivated,  fastidious  Florcntiiics?" 

"A  common  school  New  England  education 
c.Tu  scarcely  fit  a  man  for  intercourse  witli  pol- 
ished Italians.     The  granite  hills  of  New  IIamp> 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


lor 


•hire  Iiave   never  \teen  famous  for  prodocing   ing  together  into  one  deafenini;  roar,  iuid  riiidg 
men  of  liicli  breeding.     That  is  not  their  spo-   on  high  like  the  thunder  of  a  cataract : 
cialty."  I      "  Vittoria!"  "  Vittoria!"  "Cavriana!"  "I 

"Besides,  our  good  friend  can  not  spcalc  a  Francesi !"  "Viva  I'ltalia!"  "Viva  Vittora 
single  word  of  any  language  but  his  own."  i  Emmanucle !  il  nostro  Re !"  "  Viva !"  "  Vh-a  1 1" 

"  And  frequently  fails  in  that."  !  "  Viva  \  \  I" 

"IIo  hasn't  the  remotest  glimmering  of  an  Won?  like  these  rose  all  around,  mingled 
idea  about  Art."  '  with   thousands  of  similar  exclamations.     At 

"Not  of  the  Fine  Arts,  but  in  the  useful  arts  ;  length  there  was  distinguished  one  uord.  It 
Lo  is  immense."  I  was  passed  from  man  to  man,  more  frequently 

"  He  looks  upon  Italy  as  he  woald  upon  a  uttered,  gothcring  as  it  passed,  adding  now  vol- 
field  of  8tumi)s— a  place  to  bo  cleared,  broken  ;  umcs  of  meaning  to  its  own  sonorous  sound,  till 
np,  brouglit  under  cultivation,  and  made  pro-  [  at  last  all  other  words  were  drowned  in  that  one 
ductive."  I  grand  word,  which  to  this  rejoicing  multitude 

"  Yes,  productive  in  cotton  factories  and  Yan-  was  the  lyre  of  glorious  victory,  the  promise  of 
kee  notions."  .. 


"  What  in  the  world  can  keep  np  his  reputa- 
tion among  the  most  poetic  and  least  utilitari- 
an people  in  the  world?" 

"There's  the  mystery !'' 

"  The  beauty  of  it  is  he  goes  as  much  witli 
the  English  as  with  the  Italians.  Can  he  keep 
up  liis  vernacular  among  them  and  still  preserve 
the  chnrra  ?' 

"Well,  whatever  is  the  secret,  I  glory  in  it. 
I  believo  in  him.  He  is  a  man.  A  more  no- 
ble-henrted,  sincere,  upright,  guileless  soul  nev. 
cr  lived.  Besides,  he  knows  thoroughly  what 
ho  has  gone  over." 

"  He  is  as  generous  a  soul  as  ever  lived." 

"Yes,  a  stiff  utilitaran  in  theory,  but  in 
practice  an  impulsive  sentimentalist." 

"  He  would  legislate  according  to  the  most 
narrow  and   selfish  principles,  but  would  lay  f- 
down  his  life  for  his  friend." 

"  Think  of  him  at  Perugia  !" 

"  Yes ;  the  man  himself  with  his  brnve  soul 
and  invincible  courage.  Didn't  ho  fight  ?  Me- 
thinks  ho  did!" 


endless  trinmphs  for  regenerated  Italy  : 
SoLrEBRio ! " 


SOLRKINOl 


"  Solfenno .'"     They  did  not  know  then,  as 


"  If  it  hadn't  been  for  him  it  is  extremely  they  listened,  the  full  meaning  of  that  eloquent 
prob.ilile  that  you  and  I  would  now  have  been   word.      But  on  mingling  with   the  shouting 

—well,  certainly  not  just  here."  crowd  they  soon  learned  it  all :   how  the  ac- 

Talking  thus,  the  two  young  men  walked  np  cursed  Tedesciii  had  summoned  all  their  ener- 
townrd  the  Palazzo  Vecchio.  They  noticed  gy  to  crush  forever  the  army  of  liberty ;  how  the 
that  the  busy  street  through  which  tliey  passed  Kaisar  himself  came  from  beyond  the  mount- 
was  filled  with  an  unusual  multitude,  who  were  ains  to  insure  his  triumph  ;  how  the  allied  ar- 
all  agitatod  with  one  general  and  profound  ex-  mies  had  rushed  upon  their  massive  columns 
citemcnt,  and  were  all  hurrying  in  one  direc-  and  beaten  them  back ;  how,  hour  after  hour, 
tion.  The  sight  awakened  their  interest.  They  the  battle  raged,  till  at  last  the  plain  for  many 
went  on  with  the  stream.  At  every  step  the  a  league  was  covered  with  the  woanded  and  the 
crowd  increased.  At  every  street  new  throngs  dead ;  how  the  wrongs  of  ages  were  crowded 
poured  in  to  join  the  vast  multitude.  \  together  in  the  glorious  vengeance  of  that  day 

Confused  murmurs  rose  into  the  air.     Hasty  <    days;  how  Victory  hovered  over  the  invincl- 

word3  passed   from   mouth  to   mouth.      They  ble  banners  of  Italy ;   how  the  Tedeschi  fled, 

were   unintelligible.     They  could  only  distin-  routed,  over  the  river,  no  more  to  cross  it  as 

guish  broken  sentences — words  unknown— Cav-  masters  j  how  the  hopes  of  Italy  arose  immortal 

riana  —  Mincio  —  Tedeschi— Xapoleone — Spia  from  that  one  day's  terrific  slaughter ;  how  Lib- 

d'ltalia.     What  was  it  all  about  ?     They  could  erty  was  now  forever  secured,  and  a  Kingdom 

not  guess.     Evidently  some   mighty   national  of  Italy  under  an  Italian  King, 

event  had  occurred,  which  was  of  overwhelm-  j      "Viva  I'ltalia!"     "Viva  Luigi  Xapoleone!"* 

ing  importance.     Forthe  entire  city  had  turned  "  Viva  Garibaldi !"     "Viva  Vittoro  Emmanu- 

out,  and  now,  as  they  entered  the  great  square  ele.  Re  d'ltalva!" 

Ill  ::v::i  'j:  i;:c  x~u!::::z'j    Y  t-jx-'iiiu,  a::  ariiuTiijiiing  ;    "  in  great  TnOiIiCntS  01  popuiai  eXciluiiiOlil  pco- 

sight  bu.st  upon  their  view.     A  vast  multitude  pie  do  not  talk  to  one  another.     They  rhap- 

fiUed  the  square  to  overflowing.     Loud  cries  sodizo ;  and  the  Italians  more  than  any  other 

arose.     Shouts  of  a  thousand  kinds  all  blend-  people.     Uence  the  above. 


f. 

■V 


^ 

ai 


i 


108 


THE  DODGE  CLUB  j  OR,  ITALY  IN  JIIMTCCLIX. 


TUK  BEHATOB  sriAKS. 


Buttons  and  Dick  clambered  np  to  the  recess 
of  a  window  and  contemplated  the  scene. 
There  was  the  innamerable  crowd ;  swayinp, 
ombracinfj,  laughing,  weeping,  shonting,  cheer- 
ing. High  in  tlie  air  waved  hundreds  of  ban- 
ners ;  and  the  tri-color  flaunted  in  ribbons  from 
thousands  of  breasts,  or  shone  in  rosettes,  or 
gleamed  in  flowers.  Ever  and  anon  loud  trum- 
pet blasts  arose  triumphantly  on  high  ;  in  the 
distance  rictorioas  strains  came  swelling  up 
from  bands  hurried  there  to  express  in  thrilling 
music  what  words  could  never  utter ;  while  nil 
around  the  whole  air  rang  with  the  thunder  of 
cannon  that  saluted  the  triumph  of  Solfciino. 

"  Looli  there !     I^ok  !     Look  !"  cried  Dick. 

He  pointed  to  the  large  portico  wliich  is  on 
the  right  of  the  Palazzo  Vecchio.  B  uttons  look- 
ed as  ho  was  directed. 

lie  saw  a  great  assemblage  of  ladies  and  gen- 
tlemen, the  chief  people  of  the  Tuscan  state. 
From  this  place  those  announcements  had  been 
made  which  had  set  the  people  wild  with  joy. 
There  were  beautiful  ladies  whose  flushed  faces 
<ind  suft"nscd  eyes  bore  witness  to  their  deep 
emotion.  There  were  noble  gentlemen  whoso 
arms  still  waved  in  the  air  as  they  cheered  for 
Italy.     And  there,  high  above  all  others,  rose 


calm,  shrewd,  square  face,  the  benignant  glance  ' 
and  smile,  which  could  belong  only  to  one  per- 


"  Tlie  Senator .''"  cried  Buttons. 

Every  body  was  looking  in  that  direction. 
The  imjiulsive  crowd  having  celebrated  abstract 
idens,  were  now  absolutely  hungering  for  some 
tan^iblo  object  upon  which  to  expend  some- 
thing of  the  warmth  of  their  feelings.  A  few 
who  stood  near  the  Senator  and  were  impressed 
by  his  aspect,  as  soon  n<i  all  the  news  had  been 
made  known,  gave  expresRion  and  direction  to 
the  feeling  liy  shouting  his  name.  As  they 
shouted  others  took  np  the  cry,  louder,  louder, 
and  louder  still,  till  his  name  burst  forth  in  one 
sublime  sound  from  thirty  thousand  lips. 

No  wonder  that  he  started  at  such  an  appeal. 
He  turned  and  looked  upon  the  crowd.  An 
ordinary  man  would  have  exhibited  either  con- 
fusion or  wonder.  The  Senator,  being  an  ex- 
traordinary man,  exhibited  neither.  As  he  turn- 
ed a  vast  roar  burst  from  the  multitude. 

"  Good  Heavens !''  cried  Buttons ;  "  what's  in 
the  wind  now  ?  Will  this  be  a  repetition  of 
the  scene  in  the  Place  Vendome?'* 

"Hush!" 

Tlie  crowd  saw  before  them  the  man  whose 
name  and  fame  had  been  the  subject  of  conject- 
ure, wonder,  applause,  and  hope  for  many  days. 
They  beheld  in  him  the  Keprcsentntive  of  a 

::::^::.3'  iimiui:,  scTtl  10  give  zncni  IPiC  ngut  ji&liu 
of  fellowship,  and  welcome  their  country  among 
the  great  powers  of  the  earth.  In  him  they 
saw  the  embodiment  of  America  1 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  IT.VLY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


lO* 


'•  Viva !"  burst  through  the  nir.  "  The  Amer- 
ican Embassador !''  "  Hurrah  for  the  American 
Embassador !"  "  The  Plenipotentiary  Extraor- 
dinary 1"  "  Ho  comes  to  crown  our  triumph  !" 
"Hurrah  for  America!"  "Free,  generous 
America!"  "The  first  nation  to  welcome  It- 
aly!" "Hurrah!"  "Thisis  the  time!"  "He 
will  speak!"  "Silence!"  "Silence!"  "Ho 
rises!"  "Lo!"  "He  looks  at  us!"  "Si- 
lence !"  "Listen  to  the  Most  Illustrious  Plen- 
ipotentiary Extraordinary !"  "IJath!  AxEE- 
ic A  speaks!" 

Such  shouts  nnd  exclamations  as  these  burst 
forth,  with  many  others  to  the  same  effect.  The 
crowd  in  front  of  the  portico  where  the  Senator 
stood  were  almost  uncontrollable  in  their  ex- 
citement. The  Senator  rose  to  the  greatness 
of  the  occnsion.  Here  was  a  chance  to  speak — 
to  utter  forth  the  deep  sympathy  of  his  country- 
men with  every  down-trodden  people  strivinp; 
for  freedom.  He  turned  to  face  them  nnd  held 
out  his  hand.  At  once  the  immense  assem- 
blage was  hushed  to  silence. 

The  Senator  took  off  his  hnt.  Never  before 
<!id  he  look  as  he  looked  now.  The  grandeur 
of  the  occasion  had  sublimed  his  usually  rugged 
features  into  majesty.  Ho  io')ked  like  the  in- 
c.irnation  of  a  strong,  vi;jorous,  invincib'.e  peo- 
ple. 

The  Senator  spoke ; 

"  Men  of  Italy  ! 

"In  the  name  of  the  Great  Republic! — I 
congratulate  you  on  this  glorious  victory  I  It 
is  a  trium'  a  of  Liberty  ! — of  the  principles  of 
76! — of  the  immortal  idecs! — for  which  our 
forefathers  fought  and  died! — at  Lexington! 
— at  Bunker  Hill ! — and  at  a  thousand  other 
places  in  the  great  and  glorious  Revolution!" 

The  Senator  paused.  This  was  enongh.  It 
had  been  spoken  in  English.  The  Italians  did 
not  of  course  understand  a  word,  yet  they  com- 
prehended all  his  meaning.  As  he  paused  there 
burst  forth  a  shout  of  joy  such  as  is  heard  only 
onc»  in  a  life-time ;  shout  upon  shout.  Tlic  long 
peals  of  sound  rose  up  and  spread  far  away  over 
the  city.  The  vast  crowd  vibrated  like  one  man 
to  the  impulso  of  the  common  enthusiasm. 

It  was  too  great  to  last.  They  rushed  to  the 
carriage  of  Im  Cica.  They  unharnessed  the 
hors33.  They  led  the  Senator  to  it  and  made 
him  enter.  They  flung  their  tri-colors  in.  They 
threw  flowers  on  his  lap.  They  wound  the  flag 
of  I  taly  around  the  carriage.  A  thousand  marched 
liefore  it.  Thousands  more  walked  beside  nnd 
boliind.  They  drew  him  up  to  his  hotel  in  tri- 
umph, and  the  band  struck  up  the  thrilling  strain 
of  "  Yankee  Doodle  !" 

It  would  be  unfair  not  to  render  justice  to  Tm 
Cica.  She  boro  the  scene  admirably.  Her 
beaming  face,  and  lustrous  eyes,  nnd  heaving 
bosom,  and  majestic  nir,  shewed  that  she  im- 
propriated to  herself  all  the  honor  thus  lavished 
upOii  luo  ocliulur.  It  was  a  piuud  luuiiicui  Fur 
La  Cica. 

"  Dick,"'  said  Buttons,  as  they  descended 
f.-ora  tli;ir  perch. 


"Well?" 

"  How  do  Tou  feel  now  ?" 

"Obliterated.  I  do  not  exist.  I  was  once 
a  blot.  I  am  expunged.  There  is  no  sucli  thing 
as  Dick." 

"  Who  could  have  imagined  this  ?" 

"  And  how  he  bore  it !  The  Senator  is  a 
great  man  I  But  come.  Don't  let  us  speak 
fur  an  hour,  for  we  ore  both  unable  to  talk  co. 
hercrtly." 

From  patriotic  motives  the  two  young  men 
walked  behind  the  Senator's  carriage  and  cheer- 
ed all  the  way. 

Upon  arriving  at  their  lodgings  in  tho  even- 
ing they  stationed  themselves  at  the  window 
and  looked  out  upon  the  illuminated  scene. 
Dick,  finding  his  emotions  too  strong  to  be  re- 
strained, took  his  trombone  and  entertained  a 
great  crowd  for  hours  with  all  the  national  airs 
that  he  knew. 


CHAPTER  XLV. 

THE  PniVATB  OPINION  OF  THK  DOCTOR  ABOtT 
FOKEION  TRAVEL. — BUTTONS  STILL  MEEVS  WITU 
AFFLICTIONS. 

"  The  Italians,  or  at  any  rate  the  people  of 
Florence,  have  just  about  as  much  cuteness  as 
you  will  find  anywhere." 

Such  was  the  dictum  of  the  Senator  in  a  con- 
versation with  his  companioiis  after  rejoining 
them  at  the  hotel.  They  had  much  to  ask; 
he,  much  to  tell.  Never  had  he  been  more 
critical,  more  approbative.  He  felt  now  that 
he  thoroughly  understood  the  Italian  question, 
and  e::presscd  himself  in  accordance  with  this 
conscio'isness. 

"Nothing  does  a  feller  so  much  good,"  said 
he,  "as  mixing  in  all  grades  of  society.  It 
won't  ever  do  to  confine  our  observation  to  the 
lower  classes.  We  must  mingle  with  the  upper- 
crust,  who  are  the  leaders  of  the  people." 

"Unfortunately,"  said  Buttons,  "we  are  not 
all  Senators,  so  we  iiave  to  do  the  bc3t  we  can 
with  our  limited  opportunities." 

They  had  been  in  Florence  long  enougli,  and 
now  the  general  desire  was  to  go  on.  Mr.  Figgs 
and  tlio  Doctor  had  greatly  surprised  tlio  Senator 
by  informing  him  that  they  did  not  intend  to  go 
any  further. 

And  why  tJot  ? 

"Well,  for  my  own  part,"  said  Jlr.  Figgs, 
"  the  discomforts  of  travel  are  oltogctlier  too 
great.  It  would  not  bo  so  bad  in  tlie  winter, 
but  think  how  horribly  hot  it  is.  What  is  my 
condition  ?  That  of  a  man  slowly  sntt'ocating. 
Think  how  fat  I  am.  Even  if  I  had  the  en- 
thusiasm of  Dick,  or  the  fun  of  Buttons,  my  fat 
would  force  me  to  leave.  Can  you  pretend  to 
be  a  friend  of  mine  and  still  urge  me  to  go  fur. 
ther  ?  And  suppose  we  passed  over  into  the  Aus- 
trian territory.  Perhaps  we  might  be  unmolest- 
ed, iiul  il  is  (iuuliirui.  Suppusa,  fur  iiie  8»ku 
of  argument,  that  we  were  arrested  and  de- 
tained. Imagine  us — imagine  me — shut  up  in 
a  room— or  worse,  a  cell — in  the  montli  of  July, 


WM^I 


110 


THE  DODGE  CLUB  ;  OB,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


A  UBXA8E  SrOT. 

in  miilsuTTiinci-,  in  tlie  hottest  part  of  this  hnm- 
in^j;  fiery  fnrnnce  of  a  o-jinry  !  What  would 
be  left  of  ino  nt  tlie  end  of  a  week,  or  at  the 
end  of  even  one  day?  Wlin'. ?  A  grcaoC 
spot !  A  grease  spot !  Not  a  bit  more,  by 
Jincol" 

After  this  speech,  which  was  for  him  one  of 
extraordinary  length  and  vigor,  Mr.  Figgs  fell 
exhausted  into  his  chair. 

*'  But  you,  Doctor,"  said  the  Senator,  seeing 
that  Mr.  Figgs  was  beyond  the  reach  of  persaa- 
sion — '*  you — what  reason  is  there  for  you  to 
leave  ?  Yon  are  young,  strong,  and  certainly 
not  fat." 

"  No,  thank  heaven  !  it  is  not  the  heat,  or 
the  fear  of  being  suffocated  in  an  Austrian  dun- 
goon,  that  influences  me." 

"  What,  then,  is  the  reason  ?" 

"These  confounded  disturbances,"  said  the 
Doctor  lanf;niilly.  ' 

"  Disturbances  ?" 

"Yes.  I  hear  that  the  road  between  this 
and  Bologna  swarms  with  vagabonds.  Several 
dilipenccs  have  been  robbed.  I  heard  a  story 
which  sliows  this  state  of  things.  A  band  of 
men  entered  the  theatre  of  a  small  town  along 
the  road  while  the  inhabitants  were  witnessing 
the  play.  At  first  the  spectators  thought  it  was 
part  of  the  performance.  They  were  soon  un- 
deceived. The  men  drew  up  in  lino  in  front  of 
the  stage  and  levelled  their  pieces.  Then  fasten- 
through  the  house  to  plunder  the  whole  audience. 
Not  content  with  this  they  made  the  authorities 
of  the  town  pay  a  heavy  ransom." 


"  Some  one  has  been  humbugging  you,  Doo> 
tor,"  said  Buttons. 

"  I  bad  it  from  good  anthority,"  said  the 
Doctor,  calmly.  "  These  fellows  call  them- 
selves licvolutionists,  and  the  peasantry  sympa- 
thize with  them." 

"  Well,  if  we  meet  with  them  there  will  be  a 
little  additional  excitement." 

"  Yes,  and  the  loss  of  our  watches  and  mon- 
ey." 

"  We  can  carry  our  money  where  they  won't 
find  .:,  and  our  bills  °of  exchange  arc  nil  right, 
you  know." 

"  I  think  none  of  yon  will  accuse  me  of  want 
of  cournce.  If  I  met  these  fellows  you  know 
very  well  that  I  would  go  in  for  fighting  them. 
But  what  I  do  object  to  is  the  infernal  bother  of 
licing  stopped,  detained,  or  perhaps  sent  ^ack. 
Then  if  any  of  us  got  wounded  wo  would  be  laid 
up  for  a  month  or  so.  That's  what  I  object  to. 
If  I  h.nd  to  do  it  it  would  be  different,  but  I  sco 
no  necessity." 

"  You  surely  want  to  see  Lombardy  ?" 

"  No,  I  don't." 

"Not  Bologna?" 

"No." 

"  Ferrara?" 

"  No." 

"  Do  you  mean  to  sny  that  yon  don't  want  to 
sec  Venice  and  Milan  ?" 

"  Haven't  the  remotest  desire  to  sco  cither 
of  the  places.  I  merelj  wish  to  get  back  again 
to  Paris.  It's  about  the  best  place  I've  seen  yet, 
except,  of  course,  my  native  city,  riiiladelphia. 
That  I  thmk  is  without  an  cquiil.  llowecer, 
our  minds  arc  made  up  We  don't  wish  to 
change  yp:'r  plans— in  fact,  we  never  thought  it 
possible.  W'c  "^c  )(">ng  to  take  the  steamer  at 
Leghorn  for  Marseilles,  and  go  on  to  Paris." 

"  Well,  Doctor,"  said  Dick,  "  will  you  do  mo 
one  favor  before  you  go  ?" 

"  With  pleasure.     What  is  it  ?" 

"  Sell  me  your  pistol." 

"  I  can't  sell  it,"  said  the  Doctor.  "  It  was 
a  present  to  me.  But  I  will  be  happy  to  lend 
it  to  you  till  we  meet  again  in  Paris.  We  will 
be  sure  to  meet  there  in  a  couple  of  months  'at 
the  furthest." 

The  Doctor  took  out  his  pistol  and  handed 
it  to  Dick,  who  thankfully  received  it. 

"Oh,  Buttons,"  said  the  Senator,  suddenly, 
"I  have  good  news  for  you.  I  ought  to  have 
told  you  before." 

"Good  news?  what?" 

"  I  saw  the  Spaniards." 

"The  Spaniards!"  cried  Buttons,  eagerly, 
starting  up.  "  Where  did  yon  see  them  ? 
When  ?  Where  are  they  ?  I  have  scoured  the 
whole  town." 

"  I  saw  them  at  a  very  crowded  assembly  at 
tlte  Countess's.  There  was  such  a  scrouging 
that  I  could  not  get  near  them.     The  three  were 

"And  don't  you  know  any  thing  abont 
them  ?" 

"Not  a  hooter,  except  something  that  the 


,«   .  .]*' 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


HI 


roaRtcu  told  mc.  I  think  she  mid  that  tbejr 
wcro  staying  at  the  villa  of  a  friend  of  hers." 

"A  friend?  Ob,  confound  it  all!  What 
shall  I  do?" 

"The  villa  is  out  of  town." 

"That's  the  reason  why  I  never  could  sec 
them.     Confound  it  all,  what  shall  I  do?" 

"  Buttons,"  said  the  Senator,  prtively,  "  I  am 
truly  sorry  to  see  a  young  man  like  yon  so  in- 
fatuated about  foreign  women.  Do  not  be  of- 
fended, I  mean  it  kindly.  She  may  be  u  Jesuit 
in  dixguise ;  who  knows?  And  why  will  you 
put  yourself  to  grief  about  a  little  black-cyed 
gnl  that  don't  know  a  word  cf  English  ?  Be- 
lieve me,  New  England  is  wide,  ond  has  ten 
thousand  better  gals  than  ever  she  began  to  be. 
If  you  will  get  in  love  wait  till  you  get  homo 
nnd  fall  in  love  like  a,  Christian,  a  Kcpublican, 
and  a  Man." 

But  the  Senator's  words  had  no  effect.  But- 
tons eat  for  a  few  moments  lost  in  thougiit.  At 
length  he  rose  and  quietly  left  the  room.  It 
was  about  nine  i;.  the  morning  when  he  left. 
It  was  about  nine  in  the  evening  when  ho  re- 
turned, lie  looked  dusty,  fatigued,  fagged, 
nnd  dejected.  He  had  a  long  story  to  tell,  and 
was  quite  communicative.  The  substance  of 
it  was  this:  On  leaving  the  hotel  he  had  gone 
nt  once  to  La  Cica's  resideiKe,  and  had  re- 
quested permission  to  see  her.  He  could  not 
till  twelve.  lie  wandered  about  and  called 
ngam  at  that  hour.  She  was  very  amiable, 
especially  on  learning  that  he  was  a  friend  of 
the  Senator,  after  whom  she  asked  with  deep  in- 
terest.    Nothing  could   exceed   her  aft'abilitv. 


She  told  him  all  that  she  knew  about  the  Span- 
iards. They  were  stopping  at  the  villa  of  a 
certain  friend  of  hers  whom  she  named.  It  was 
ten  miles  from  the  city.  The  friend  had 
brought  tliem  to  the  assembly.  It  was  but  for 
n  moment  that  she  had  seen  them.  She  wished 
for  his  sake  that  she  had  learned  more  about 
them.  She  trusted  tl>  r  be  would  succeed  ia 
his  earnest  search.  SI  should  think  that  they 
might  still  bo  in  Florence,  and  if  ho  went  out 
at  once  ho  might  see  them.  Was  this  his  first 
visit  to  Florence?  How  perfectly  ho  had  tho 
Tuscan  accent;  and  why  had  he  not  accom- 
panied his  friend  the  Senator  to  her  salon? 
But  it  would  bo  impossible  to  repeat  all  that  La 
Clca  said. 

Buttons  went  out  to  the  villa  at  once ;  bnt 
to  his  extreme  disgust  found  that  tho  Spaniards 
had  left  on  the  preceding  day  for  Bologna.  He 
drove  about  the  country  for  some  distance,  rest- 
ed his  horses,  and  took  n  long  walk,  after  which 
he  returned. 

Their  departure  for  Bologna  on  the  following 
morning  was  a  settled  thing.  The  diligencu 
started  early.  They  had  pity  on  the  flesii  of 
Fipgs  and  tlic  spirit  of  the  Doctor.  So  fhcy 
iMidc  them  good-bye  on  the  evening  before  retir- 


CIIAPTER  XL VI. 

A  MEMOKABLK  DRIVE.— NIGHT.— THK  BRIOANDi 
ONCE  MUKE. — garibaldi's  NAME. — THE  FIHE. 
— TUE  IRON  BAR.— THE  MAM  FROM  THE  GRANITE 
STATE  AND  UI8  TWO  BOV8. 


FABEWXIL,  TVidt'. 


H 


"  The  great  beanty  of  this 
pistol  is  a  little  improvement 
that  I  have  not  seen  before." 

And  Dick  proceeded  to  ox- 
plain. 

"  Hero  is  the  chamber  with 
the  six  cavities  loaded.  Now, 
yon  see,  when  you  wish,  you 
touch  this  spring  and  out  pops 
the  butt." 

"  Well  ?" 

"  Very  well.  Here  I  have 
another  chamber  with  six  car- 
tridges. It's  loaded,  the  car- 
tridges arc  covered  with  copper 
and  have  detonating  powder  nt 
one  end.  As  quick  as  light- 
ning I  put  this  on,  and  there  you 
have  tlie  pistol  ready  to  be  fired' 
again  six  timos." 

'•  So  vou  have  twelve  shots?" 

"Yes." 

"And  cartridges  to  spare?" 

"The  Doctor  gave  me  all  thnt 
he  had,  about  sixty,  I  should 
think." 

"You  have  enongh  to  face  n 
Tv'nolc  army-  '' 

"Precisely — and  in  ray  c»at- 
pocket." 

This  conversation  took  place 


\\i\  II  <iilllllilliiiNli    lli|i|ilitlliiJ^M  11  III  III I  iiiilllii 


1!3 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OB,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX 


in  the  banqijettc  of  the  ililiBence  that  conreyed 
Dick,  DuttoDJ,  and  the  Senator  from  Florence 
to  Bologna.  A  long  part  of  the  joamcr  had 
been  paued  orer.  Thejr  were  among  the 
mountaini. 

"Do  yuu  expect  to  uM  tliat ?"  aiked  thu  Sen- 
ator, carcleuly. 

"I  do." 

"  Voa  believe  these  ttorici  then  ?" 

"Yl.  ;  don't  you?' 

•'  Ccrtuinly." 

"  So  do  I,"  said  Buttons.  "  I  could  not  get 
a  pistol ;  but  I  got  this  from  an  acquaintance." 

And  he  draw  from  his  pocket  an  enormous 
bowie-knife. 

"  Bowie-knives  are  no  good,"  said  the  Sena- 
tor. "I'crhaps  they  may  do  if  you  want  to  as- 
sassinate ;  but  for  nothing  else.  You  can't 
defend  yourself.  I  nerer  liked  it.  It's  not 
American.  It's  not  the  direct  result  of  our  free 
iustitutions." 

"What  have  you  then?  You  are  not  going 
unormed." 

"This,"  said  the  Senator. 

And  he  lifted  up  a  crow-bar  from  the  front 
c.f  the  coach.  Brandishing  it  in  the  air  ns  eas- 
iiy  as  an  ordinary  man  would  swing  a  walk- 
ing-stick, he  looked  calmly  at  his  astonished 
companions.  • 

"You  see,"  said  he,  "there  arc  several 
reasons  why  this  sort  of  thing  is  the  best  weu)K>n 
for  me.  A  short  knife  is  no  use.  A  sword  is 
no  good,  for  I  don't  know  the  sword  excr- 
rise.  A  gun  is  worthless;  I  would  Are  it 
i>ff  once  and  then  have  to  use  it  as  a  club.  It 
would  then  be  apt  to  .>reak.  That  would  be  dis- 
ngreeable^specially  in  the  middle  of  a  fight. 
A  stick  or  club  of  any  kind  would  be  open  to 
the  same  objection.  Whet,  then,  is  the  weapon 
for  me  ?  Look  at  me.  I  a-n  big,  strong,  and 
active.  I  have  no  skill.  I  am  brute  strength. 
So  a  club  is  my  only  weapon — a  club  that 
won't  break.  Say  iron,  then.  There  you  have 
it." 

And  the  Senator  swung  the  ponderons  bar 
around  in  a  way  that  showed  the  wisdom  of  bis 
choice. 

"Yon  are  nbont  right,"  said  Buttons.  "I 
venture  to  say  you'll  do  as  much  mischief  with 
tliat  as  Dick  will  with  his  pistol.  lYrbaps 
more.  As  for  me,  I  don't  expect  to  do  much. 
Still,  if  the  worst  comes,  I'll  try  to  do  what  I 
can." 

■  "We  may  not  have  to  use  them,"  sold  the 
Scn.itor.     "  Who  are  below  ?" 

"Below?" 

"In  the  coach?" 

"Italians." 

"Women?" 

"  No,  all  men.  Two  priests,  three  shop-keep- 
er-looking persons,  and  a  soldier." 

"  Ah  !     Why,  we  ought  to  be  comparatively 

atlft:." 

"Oh,  our  number  is  not  any  thinpr.  The 
country  is  in  a  state  of  anarchy.  Miserable 
devils  of  half-starved  Italians  swarm  along  tlic 


road,  and  they  will  try  to  make  hay  while  the 
sun  shines.  I  have  no  doubt  we  will  be  stop|ied 
half  a  dozen  times  before  we  get  to  Bologna." 

"  I  should  think,"  said  the  Senator,  indig- 
nan'lv,  "  that  if  these  chnps  undertake  to  gov- 
ern the  country — these  republican  chapa — they 
had  ought  to  govern  it.  What  kind  of  a  way 
is  this  to  leave  helpless  traveller  at  the  mercy 
of  cut-thronts  and  assassins  ?" 

"Tliey  think,"  said  Buttons,  "that  thcirflrst 
duty  is  to  secure  independence,  and  after  tliat 
they  will  promote  order." 

"  The  Florentines  are  a  fine  people — a  people 
uf  remarkable  'eutcness  and  penetration  ;  but  it 
seems  to  mo  that  they  are  taking  things  c.-isr  as 
far  as  fighting  is  concerned.  They  don't  sc::d 
tlii'ir  soldiers  to  the  war,  do  they  ?" 

"  Well,  no ;  I  suppose  they  think  their  nrmy 
may  be  needed  nearer  home.  The  Grand  Diiko 
has  long  arms  yet;  and  knows  how  to  bribe." 

By  this  time  they  were  among  the  mountain 
forests  where  the  scenery  was  grander,  the  air 
cooler,  the  sky  darker,  than  before.  It  was 
late  in  the  day,  and  evry  mile  increased  the 
wildness  of  the  landscpe  and  the  thickness  of 
the  gloom.  Further  and  further,  on  they  went 
till  at  last  they  came  to  a  winding-place  where 
the  road  ended  at  a  gnlly  over  which  there  ^vas 
a  bridge.  On  the  bridge  was  a  ban  icadc. 
Thoy  did  npt  see  it  until  they  hud  made  a  turn 
where  the  road  wound,  where  at  once  the  scene 
burst  on  their  view. 

The  leaders  reared,  the  postillions  swore,  the 
driver  snapped  his  whip  furiously.  The  pas- 
sengers in  "eoupi,"  "rotonde,"  and  "  interi- 
enre  "  popped  out  their  heads,  the  passengers  on 
the  "  banquette"  stared,  until  at  last,  just  as  tlic 
postillions  were  dismounting  to  reconnoitre, 
twelve  figures  rose  np  from  behind  the  borriradc, 
indistinct  in  the  gloom,  and  bringing  their 
rifles  to  their  shoulders  took  aim. 

The  driver  yelled,  the  postillions  shouted, 
tho'passengers  shrieked.  The  three  men  in  the 
banquette  prepared  for  a  fight.'  Suddenly  a 
loud  voice  was  heard  from  behind.  They 
looked.  A  number  of  men  stood  there,  and 
several  more  were  leaping  out  from  the  thick 
woods  on  the  right.  They  were  surrounded. 
At  length  one  of  the  men  came  forward  from  be- 
hind. 

"Yon  are  at  our  mercy,"  said  he.  "Who- 
ever gives  up  his  money  may  go  free.  Who- 
ever resists  dies.     Do  you  hear  ?" 

Meanwhile  the  three  men  in  the  banquette 
had  piled  some  trunks  around,  end  prej>arcd  to 
resist  till  the  last  extremity.  Dick  was  to  Jire  ; 
Buttons  to  keep  each  spare  butt  loaded  ;  tli(i 
Senator  to  use  his  crow-bar  on  the  heads  of  any 
assailants.  They  waited  in  silence.  They 
heord  the  brigands  rummaging  through  the 
coach  below,  the  prayers  of  the  passengers, 
their  appcials  for  pity,  their  groans  at  being  com- 
}j^iicd  ».-"•  '^ivo  up  CTcry  triing. 

"The  cowards  don't  deserve  pity!"  cried  the 
Senator.  "  There  are  enough  to  get  up  a  good 
rcs-istanco.     We'll  show  fight,  anyVvOw  I" 


THK  DODGE  CLUD ;  OK,  ITALY  IX  MDCCCLIX. 


lis 


la    Ttll  OOACU. 


Scarcely  had  he  ipoke  when  tliree  or  four 
head!)  appeared  above  the  cdRO  of  the  coach. 
"  Haste! — yonr  money  !"  (aid  one. 
"Stop!"  iaid  Battons.  "  Thia  gcnileman 
ii  the  American  Plenipotentiary  Extraordinary, 
who  has  jmt  come  from  Florence,  and  is  on  his 
way  to  communicate  with  Garibaldi." 

"Garibaldi!"  cried  the  man,  in  a  tone  of 
deep  respect. 

"  Yes,"  said  Buttons,  who  had  not  misoc'cu- 
latcd  the  effect  of  that  ighty  name.  "  If  you 
harm  us  or  plunder  us  _.ou  will  have  to  settle 
your  account  with  Garibaldi— that's  all !" 

The  man  was  silent.  Then  he  leaped  down, 
and  in  another  moment  another  man  came. 

"Which  is  the  American  Plenipotentiary 
Extraordinary?" 

*'  He,"  said  Buttons,  pointing  to  the  Senator. 
"Ah  1  I  know  him.     It  is  the  same.     1  saw 
him  at  his  reception  in  Florence,  and  helped  to 
pull  his  carriage." 

The  Senator  calmly  eyed  the  brigand,  who 
had  respectfully  taken  off  his  hat. 

"  So  you  are  going  to  communicaie  with 
Garibaldi  at  once.  Go  in  peace  !  Gentlemen, 
every  one  of  ns  fought  under  Garibaldi  at  Rome. 
Ten  years  ago  he  disbanded  a  large  number  of 
ns  among  these  mountains.  I  have  the  honor  to 
inform  you  that  ever  since  that  time  I  have  got 
my  living  out  of  the  public,  especially  those  in 
the  service  of  the  Government.  You  are  differ- 
ent. I  like  you  because  yon  are  Americans.  I 
like  you  still  better  because  you  are  friends  of 
Garibaldi.  Go  in  peace  !  When  you  see  the 
General  tell  him  Giuglio  Malvi  sends  his  re- 
spects.'" 

And  the  man  left  them.  In  about  a  quarter 
of  an  hour  the  barricade  was  removed,  and  the 
passengers  resumed  their  seats  with  lighter 
purses  but  heavier  hearts.  The  diligence  start- 
uu,  a::u  u«ico  mcro  W6Qt  iriUuticfiu^  uiuiig  the 
mountain  road. 

"  I  don't  believe  we've  seen  the  last  of  these 
sconndrels  yet,''  said  Buttons. 
"  Nor  I,"  said  Dick. 


I      A   general   conversation   f.)llowe<l.      It  w.nt 
j  late,  and  but  few  tliinj^s  were  visihlc  along  the 
road.     Aliout  two  hours  {losscd  awny  without 
;  any  occurrence. 
j      "  Look !"  cried  Dick,  suddenly. 

They  looked.     Abort  a  quarter  of  a  mile 

I  ahead  a  deep  red  glow  arose  above  tlio  forest, 

illumining  the  sky.     The  windings  of  the  road 

I  prevented  them  from   seeing  the  cause  of  it. 

The  driver  was  startled,  but  evidently  thought 

[  it  was  no  more  dangerous  to  go  on  than  to  stop. 

So  he  lashed  up  his  horses  and  set  them  off  ot 

a  furious  gallop.     The  rumble  of  the  ponderous 

wheels  shut  out  all  other  sounds.     As  they  ad< 

▼anced  the  light  grew  more  vivid. 

"  I  shouldn't  wonder,"  said  the  Senator,  "if 
we  have  another  barricade  here.  Bo  ready, 
boys !     Wo  won't  get  off  so  easily  this  time." 

The  other  two  said  not  a  word.     On,  and  on. 

The  report  of  a  gun  suddenly  roused  all.     Tho 

driver  lashed  his  horses.     The  postillions  took 

the  butts  of  their  riding-whips  and  pelted  the 

animals.     The  road  took  a  turn,  and,  passing 

I  this,  a  strange  scene  burst  upon  their  sight. 

I      A  wide,  open  space  on  the  road-side,  a  col- 

I  Isction  of  beams  across  the  road,  the  shadowy 

I  forms  of  about  thirty  men,  and  tho  whole  scene 

dimly  lighted   by  a  smouldering  fire.     As  it 

blazed  up  a  little  tho  smoke  rolled  off  and  they 

saw  an  overturned  carriage,  two  horses  tied  to 

a  tree,  and  two  men  with  their  hands  bound 

behind  them  lying  on  the  ground. 

A  voice  rang  out  through  the  stillness  which 
for  a  moment  followed  tho  sudden  stoppmre  of 
the  coach  at  the  barrier.  There  came  a  wail 
from  the  frightened  passengers  within  —  cries 
for  mercy — piteous  entreaties. 

"Silence,  fools!"  roared  the  same  voice, 
which  seemed  to  be  that  of  the  leader. 

"  Wait!  wait !"  said  tlie  Senotor  to  his  com- 
panions.     "  Let  me  give  the  word." 

A  crowd  of  men  advanced  to  the  dilligence, 
and  as  they  left  the  fire  Buttons  saw  three  fig- 
ures left  behind — two  women  and  a  man.  They 
did  not  move.     But   suddenly  a  loud   shriek 


i^^^i^^^- 


W^fifm 


lU 


THE  DODGE  CLUB;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


bunt  (Vt>m  one  of  ili«  women.  At  the  ihrielc 
Uuttoni  trcmblotl. 

"  The  Spanianl*  I  It  ii !  I  know  the  Toice ! 
My  God:' 

III  mi  in«t«nt  Bottom  wM  down  on  tho 
ground  and  in  the  midst  of  the  crowd  of  brig- 
andi  who  lurrounded  the  coach. 

ilang  !  baoK !  bang !  It  waa  not  the  gum  of 
tlie  brigandi,  but  Dick't  piitol  that  now  ipoke, 
nnd  its  report  was  the  signal  of  death  to  three 
men  who  rolled  npon  the  ground  in  their  last 
ngonics.  As  the  third  report  burst  forth  tho 
Senator  hurled  himself  down  upon  the  heads 
of  those  below.  Tho  action  of  Buttons  had 
broken  up  all  their  plans,  rendered  parley  im- 
possible, and  loft  nothing  for  thorn  to  do  but  to 
follow  liim  and  save  him.  The  brigands  ruslicd 
ut  them  with  a  ynll  of  fiirr. 

"  I>!ath  to  them  !  Death  to  them  all !  No 
quarter!" 

"  Help!"  cried  Buttons.  "Passengers,  wo 
are  armed!     We  can  snre  ourselves!" 

But  the  passengers,  having  already  lost  their 
money,  now  feared  to  lose  their  lives.  Not  one 
responded.  All  a)>out  the  coach  the  scene  be- 
came one  of  terrible  confusion.  Guns  were 
fired,  blows  fell  in  every  direction.  The  dark- 
ness, but  faintly  illuminated  by  the  fitful  tire- 
light,  prevented  the  brigands  from  distinguish- 
ing their  enemies  very  clearly — a  circumstance 
which  favored  the  little  band  of  Americans. 

The  brigands  tired  at  the  coarh,  and  tried  to 
break  open  the  doors.  Inside  tho  coach  the 
pnssongcrs,  frantic  with  fear,  sought  to  make 
tlieir  voices  heard  amid  tho  ^proar.  They  beg- 
ged for  mercy ;  tliey  declared  they  hod  no 
money ;  they  had  already  been  robbed  ;  they 
would  give  all  tliat  whs  left ;  they  would  sur- 
render if  only  their  lives  were  spared. 

"And,  oh!  good  Americans,  yield,  yield,  or 
we  all  die!" 

"Americans?"  screojncd  several  passionate 
voices.  "  Death  to  the  Americans !  Death  to 
all  foreigners!" 

These  bandits  were  unlike  the  iast. 

Seated  in  the  banquette  Dick  surveyed  the 
scene,  while  himself  concealed  from  view. 
(J.ilmly  he  picked  out  man  after  man  and  fired. 
.Va  they  tried  to  climb  'ip  the  diligence,  or  to 
Ibrco  open  the  door,  they  fell  back  huwling. 
One  man  had  tho  door  partly  broken  open  by 
furious  blows  with  the  butt  of  bis  gun.  Dick 
tired.  Tlic  ball  entered  his  arm.  He  shrieked 
'vith  rape.  With  his  other  arm  he  seized  his 
gun,  and  again  his  blows  fell  cmshing.  In  an- 
other instant  a  ball  passed  into  his  bruin. 

"Two  shots  wasted  on  one  man!  Too 
much  !"  muttered  Dirk  ;  and  taking  aim  again 
he  fired  at  a  fellow  who  was  just  leaping  up  the 
other  side.     Tho  wretch  fell  cursing. 

Again  !  again  !  again  !     Swifi!y  Dick's  shots 

naoiicu   ai'Ouiui.       liu    ijau    iiuw    but   uiic   icil  iii  \  niUi  '«sits  uscicoe 

his  pistol.  Hurriedly  he  filled  the  spare  cham- 
ber with  six  cartridges,  and  taking  out  the  oth- 
er he  filled  it  and  placed  it  in  again.  He  looked 
down. 


There  was  the  f»enator.  More  than  twenty 
men  siirrouiided  him,  firing,  swearing,  striking, 
shrieking,  rushing  forward,  trying  to  tear  him 
from  his  post.  For  he  had  planted  himself 
against  the  fore-part  of  the  diligence,  and  the 
niighty  arm  whoso  strength  had  been  so  proved 
at  I'erugia  was  now  descending  again  with  ii'', 
resistible  force  upon  the  heads  of  his  assailants. 
All  this  was  the  work  of  but  a  few  minutes. 
Buttons  could  not  be  seen.  Dick's  prep.-\ra- 
tions  were  made.  For  a  moment  he  waited  for 
a  favorable  chance  to  get  down.  He  could  not 
stay  up  there  any  longer.  He  must  s^and  by 
the  Senator. 

There  stood  the  Senator,  his  giant  form  tower- 
ing up  amidst  the  niele'e,  his  muscular  arms 
wielding  the  enormous  iron  bar,  his  astonishing 
strength  increased  tenfold  by  the  excitement  of 
the  fight.     He  never  epoke  a  word. 

One  after  another  the  brigands  went  down 
before  the  awful  descent  of  that  iron  bar.  They 
clung  together;  they  yelled  in  fury ;  they  threw 
themselves  en  masse  against  the  Senator.  He 
met  them  as  a  rock  meets  a  hundred  waves. 
The  rcmoigeless  iron  bbr  fell  only  with  redoubled 
fury.  They  raised  "'leir  clnhhed  muskets  in 
the  air  and  struck  at  him.  One  sweep  of  tho 
iron  bar  and  the  muskets  were  dashed  ont  of 
their  hands,  broken  or  bent,  to  the  ground. 
They  fired,  Imt  from  their  wihl  excitement  their 

iu  lliO  uaikutrss    liiey   bit  Uek 

nt  one  another.  One  by  one  the  number  of 
his  assailants  lessened — they  grew  more  furior.s 
but  less  bold.  They  fell  back  a  little ;  but  the 
i::cn3tor  advanced  as  they  i-ctired,  guarding  his 


mm^s^Mi 


TIIE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OU,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


118 


BOH^  IPKAK. 


own  rctreftt,  but  still  swiiiRinR  hii  iron  bar  with 
iinJiminishod  gtrongth.  The  pronrate  form* 
of  a  tlorcn  men  lay  around.  Apain  they  rushed 
at  liim.  The  voice  of  their  leader  encouraged 
them  and  shamed  their  fears.  He  was  a  stout, 
|>owerfiil  man,  armed  with  a  knife  and  a  pun. 

"  Cowards !  kill  this  one !  This  is  the  one ; 
All  the  rest  will  yield  if  we  kill  him.  For- 
ward!" 

That  moment  Dick  leaped  to  the  ground. 
The  next  instant  the  brigands  leaped  upon 
them.     Tlio  two  were  lost  in  the  crowd. 

Twelve  reports,  one  after  the  other,  rang  into 
the  air.  Dick  did  not  fire  till  the  muizle  of 
his  pistol  was  against  his  enemy's  breast.  The 
darkness,  now  deeper  than  ever,  prevented  him 
from  being  distinctly  seen  by  the  furious  crowd, 
who  thought  only  of  the  Senator.  But  now  the 
fire  shooting  up  brightly  at  the  sudden  breath 
of  a  strong  wind  throw  a  lurid  light  upon  the 
scene. 

There  stood  Dick,  his  clothcf  torn,  his  face 
covered  with  blood,  his  last  charge  gone.  There 
8tc:J  the  Senator,  his  face  blackened  with  smoke 
and  dust,  and  red  with  blood,  his  colossal  form 
erect,  and  still  the  ponderous  bar  swung  on  high 
to  fall  as  terribly  as  ever.  Before  him  were 
eight  men.  Dick  saw  it  all  in  an  instant.  He 
screamed  to  :hc  passengers  in  the  diligence  : 

"There  are  only  eight  left!  Come!  Help 
ns  tnko  them  prisoners !     Haste !" 

Tlie  cowards  in  the  diligence  saw  how  things 
were.  They  plucked  up  courage,  and  at  the 
call  of  Uick  jumped  out.  The  leader  of  the 
brigands  was  before  Dick  with  uplifted  rifle. 
Dick  flung  his  pistol  at  his  head.  The  brigand 
drew  back  and  felled  Dick  senseless  to  the 
ground.  The  next  moment  the  Senator's  arm 
descended,  and,  with  his  head  broken  by  the 
blow,  the  robber  fell  dead. 

As  though  the  fall  of  Dick  had  given  him 
fresh  fur)-,  the  Senator  sprang  after  the  others. 
Blow  after  blow  fell.  They  were  struck  down 
helplessly  as  they  ran.  At  this  moment  the 
passcnsers,  snatching  uji  the  arms  of  the  pros- 


trate bandits,  assaulted  those  who  yet  remained. 
They  fled.  The  Senator  pursued— long  enough 
to  give  each  one  a  parting  blow  hard  enough  to 
make  him  remember  it  for  a  month.  When  he 
returned  the  passengers  were  gatheriiit<  around 
the  coach,  with  the  driver  and  postillions,  who 
had  thus  far  hidden  themselves,  and  were  eager- 
ly  looking  at  the  dead. 

"  Off!"  cried  the  Senator,  in  an  awful  voice— 
"  Off!  you  white-livered  sneaks !  Let  me  find 
my  two  boys!'' 


CHAPTER  XLVn. 

BAD   BKUISES,  Bl-T  GOOD    MUSES.- THE  HONORA- 
BLB  SCABS  or  DICK.— A  KNOWUtDOB  OP  BONB8. 

The  Senator  searched  long  and  anxiously 
among  the  fiiUen  bandits  for  those  whom  he  af- 
fectionately called  his  "  boys."    Dick  was  first 
I  found.     Ho  was  senseless.  * 

The  Senator  carried  him  to  the  fire.  lie  saw 
two  ladies  and  a  gentleman  standing  there. 
I  Hurriedly  he  called  on  them  and  poiuted  to 
Dick.  The  gentleman  raised  his  arms.  They 
were  bound  tightly.  The  ladies  also  were  so- 
cured  in  a  similar  manner.  The  Senator  quick- 
ly cut  the  cords  from  the  gentleman,  who  in  his 
turn  snatched  the  knife  and  freed  the  ladies, 
and  then  went  to  care  for  Dick. 

The  Senator  then  ran  back  to  seek  for  But- 
tons. 

The  gentleman  flung  a  qnantity  of  dry  brush 
on  the  fire,  which  at  once  blazed  up  and  threw 
a  bright  light  over  the  scene.  Meanwhile  the 
passengers  were  looking  anxiously  around  as 
though  they  dreaded  a  new  attack.  Some  of 
them  had  been  wounded  inside  the  coach  and 
were  croaninv  and  oarsinsr. 

The  Senator  searched  for  a  long  time  in  vain. 
At  last  at  the  bottom  of  a  heap  of  fallen  brig, 
ands,  whom  the  Senator  had  knocked  over,  he 
found  Buttons.  His  face  and  clothes  were 
covered  with  blood,  his  forehead  was  blackened 


IIG 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  Oil,  ITXLV  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


as  thoagh  by  on  explosion,  his  arm  was  broken 
nnd.biing  loosely  as  the  Senator  lifted  him  np. 
For  a  moment  he  thought  that  it  was  all  over 
with  him. 

Ho  carried  him  toward  the  fire.  The  ap- 
pearance of  the  young  man  was  terriblo.  Ho 
iieckoncd  to  one  of  the  ladies.  The  lady  ap- 
proached. One  look  at  the  young  man  and 
the  next  instant,  with  a  heart-rending  moan, 
she  flung  herself  on  her  knees  by  his  side. 

"The  Spaniard!"  said  the  Senator,  recog- 
nizing her  for  the  first  time.  "Ah!  he'll  bo 
taken  care  of  then." 

Tliere  was  a  brook  near  by,  and  he  hurried 
there  for  water.  There  was  nothing  to  carry  it 
in,  so  he  took  his  beaver  hat  and  filled  it.  Re- 
turning, he  dashed  it.  vigorously  in  Buttons's 
face.  A  faint  sigh,  a  gasp,  and  the  young  man 
feebly  opened  his  eyes.  Intense  pain  forced  a, 
groan  from  him.  In  the  hasty  glance  that  he 
threw  around  lie  saw  the  face  of  Ida  Francia  as 
she  bent  over  him  bathing  his  brow,  her  face 
pale  ns  death,  her  hand  trembling,  and  her 
eyes  filled  with  tears.  The  sight  seemed  to 
alleviate  his  i>ain.  A  faint  smile  'crossed  his 
lips.     lie  half  raised  himself  toward  her. 

"  I've  found  you  at  last,"  he  said,  and  that 
was  all. 

At  this  abrupt  address  a  burning  flush  pa.«scd 
over  the  face  and  neck  of  the  young  girl.  She 
bent  down  her  head.  Her  tears  flowed  faster 
than  ever. 

"Don't  speak,"  she  said;  "you  are  in  too 
much  pain." 

She  was  right,  for  the  next  moment  Buttons 
fell  back  exhausted. 

The  Senator  drew  a  flask  from  his  pocket  and 
motioned  to  the  young  girl  to  give  some  to  But- 
tons ;  and  then,  thinking  that  the  attention  of 
the  Seuorita  would  bo  far  better  than  his,  he 
hurried  away  to  Dick. 

So  well  had  he  been  treated  by  the  Don 
(whom  the  reader  has  of  course  already  recog- 
nized) that  he  was  now  sitting  up,  leaning 
against  the  drive,  of  the  diligence,  who  was  mak- 
ing amends  for  his  cowardice  during  the  fight 
by  kind  attention  to  Dick  after  it  was  over. 

"My  dear  boy,  I  saw  yoa  had  no  bones 
broken," stiid  the  Senator,  "  and  knew  yon  were 
nil  right ;  so  I  devoted  my  first  attention  to 
Buttons.     How  do  you  feci  ?" 

"Better,"  said  Dick,  iircssing  the  honest 
hand  which  the  Senator  lield  out.  "Better; 
but  how  is  Buttons  ?" 

"  Recovering.  But  he  is  terribly  bruised, 
and  his  arm  is  broken." 

"His  arm  broken!  Poor  Buttons,  what'U 
he  do?" 

"  Well,  my  boy,  I'll  try  what  /  can  do.  I've 
sot  an  arm  before  now.  In  our  region  a  neces- 
sary part  of  a  good  education  was  scttin'  bones." 

Dick  was  wounded  in  several  places.     Leav- 

his  knife  and  hurriedly  made  some  splints. 
Then  getting  his  valise,  lie  tore  up  two  or  three 
'«f  his  shirts.     Armed  with  these  he  returned  to 


Buttons.  The  Sefiorita  saw  the  preparation*, 
and,  weeping  bitterly,  she  retired. 

"  Your  arm  is  broken,  my  poor  lad,"  said  the 
Senator.  "  Will  you  let  me  fix  it  for  you  ?  I 
can  do  it." 

"  Can  yon  ?  Oh,  then,  I  nm  all  right  I  I 
was  afraid  I  would  have  to  wait  till  I  got  to 
Bologna." 

"It  would  be  a  pretty  bad  arm  by  the  time 
yon  got  there,  I  guess,"  said  the  Senator.  "But 
come — no  ti  ne  must  be  lost." 

His  simple  preparations  were  soon  made. 
Buttons  saw  that  he  knew  what  he  was  about. 
A  few  moments  of  excessive  pain,  which  torced 
ill-suppressed  moans  from  the  sufferer,  and  the 
work  was  done. 

After  taking  a  sip  from  the  flask  both  But- 
tons and  Dick  felt  very  much  stronger.  On 
questioning  the  driver  they  found  that  Bologna 
was  mt  jnora  than  twenty  miles  away.  The 
passenpjcrs  were  busily  engaged  in  removing 
the  barricade.  It  was  decided  that  an  imme- 
diate departure  was  absolutely  necessary.  At 
the  suggestion  of  Dick,  the  driver,  postillions, 
and  passengers  armed  themselves  with  guns  of 
the  fallen  brigands. 

The  severest  wound  which  Dick  had  was  on 
his  head,  which  had  been  almost  laid  open  by 
a  terrific  l)low  from  the  gun  of  the  robber  chief. 
He  had  also  wounds  on  ditfeient  parts  of  hig 
body.  Buttons  had  more.  These  the  Senator 
bound  up  with  such  skill  that  ho  declared  him- 
self ready  to  resume  his  journey.  Upon  this 
the  Don  insisted  on  taking  him  into  his  own 
carriage.      Buttons  did  not  refuse. 

At  length  they  all  started,  the  diligence 
ahead,  the  Don  following.  On  the  way  the 
Don  told  Buttons  how  he  had  fared  on  tho 
road.  He  had  left  Florence  in  a  hired  carriage 
the  day  before  tho  diligence  had  left.  lie  had 
heard  nothing  of  the  dangers  of  the  road,  and 
suspected  nothing.  Shortly  after  entering  tho 
mountain  district  they  had  been  stopped  and 
robbed  of  all  their  money.  Still  he  kept  on, 
thinking  that  there  was  no  further  danger.  To 
his  horror  they  were  stopped  again  at  the  bridge, 
where  the  brigands,  vexed  at  not  getting  any 
money,  took  all  their  baggage  and  let  them  go. 
They  went  on  fearfully,  every  moment  dread- 
ing some  new  misadventure.  At  length  their 
worst  fears  were  realized.  At  the  place  whero 
the  fight  had  occurred  they  were  stopped  and 
dragged  from  their  carriage.  The  brigands 
were  savage  at  not  getting  any  plunder,  and 
swore  tlicy  would  hold  them  prisoners  till  tlicy 
procured  a  ransom,  which  they  fixed  at  three 
thousand  piastres.  This  was  about  four  in  the 
afternoon.  They  overturned  the  coach,  kin- 
dled a  fire,  and  waited  for  the  diligence.  They 
knew  the  rest. 

Buttons,  seated  next  to  Ida  Francia,  forgot 
his  sufferings.     Meanwhile  Dick  and  the  Sen- 

After  a  while  the  Senator  relapsed  into  a  fit  of 
rousing,  and  Dick  fell  asleep. 

Morning  dawned   an<l   found   then   on  the 


THE  DODGE  CLUB  j  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


ir; 


plain  once  more,  only  a  few  miles  from  Bo- 
logna. Far  ahead  they  saw  the  lofty  Leaning 
Tuvvcr  that  forms  so  conspicuous  an  object  in 
tho  fine  old  city.  Dick  awaked,  and  on  look- 
ing at  the  Senator  was  shocked  to  see  him  very 
pale,  with  an  expression  of  pain.  He  hurried- 
ly asked  the  cause. 

"Why,  the  fact  is,  after  the  excitement  of 
fightin'  and  slaughterin'  and  seein'  to  you  chaps 
was  over  I  found  that  I  was  covered  with 
wounds.  One  of  my  fingers  is  broken.  I  have 
three  bullet  wounds  in  my  left  arm,  one  in  my 
ri^ht,  a  stab  of  a  dirk  in  my  right  thigh,  and  a 
terrible  bruise  on  my  left  knee.  I  think  that 
some  fellow  must  have  passed  a  dagger  through 
my  loft  foot,  for  there  is  a  cut  in  the  leather, 
my  shoe  is  full  of  blood,  and  it  hurts  dreadful. 
It's  my  opinion  that  tho  Dodge  Club  will  bo 
Laid  up  in  Bologny  for  a  fortnight. — Hallo !" 

The  Senator  had  heard  a  cry  behind,  and 
looked  out.  Something  startled  him.  Dick 
looked  also. 

Tho  Don's  carriage  was  in  confusion.  The 
two  Sciioritas  were  standing  up  in  tho  carriage 
wringing  their  bands.  The  Don  was  support- 
in,'  Buttons  in  his  arms.  Ho  had  fniutcJ  a 
second  time. 


CHAPTER  XLVIIL 

•ITrEniNO  AND  SENTISfBST  AT  BOLOGNA. — JIOON- 
8UINE. — BEST  BALM  FOll  WOUND3. 

Thet  all  put  op  at  the  same  hotel.  Buttons 
was  carried  in  senseless,  and  it  was  long  before 
lie  revived.  Tho  Senator  and  Dick  were  quite 
exhausted — stiff  with  fatigue,  stiff  with  wounds. 

There  was  one  thing,  however,  which  made 
their  present  situation  more  endurable.  The 
war  in  Lomhardy  made  further  progress  im- 
possible. They  could  not  be  permitted  to  pass 
the  borders  into  Venetia.  Even  if  they  had 
been  perfectly  well  they  would  have  been  com- 
pelled to  wait  there  for  a  time. 

The  city  was  in  a  ferment.  Tho  delight 
which  tho  citizens  felt  at  their  new-found  free- 
dom was  mingled  with  a  dash  of  anxiety  about 
the  result  of  tho  war.  For.  in  spite  of  Solferino, 
it  was  probable  that  tlie  tide  of  victory  would 
bo  hurled  back  from  the  Quadrilateral.  Still 
they  kept  up  their  spirits;  and  the  joy  of  their 
hearts  found  vent  in  songs,  music,  processions, 
Roman  candles,  Te  Uenni.i,  sky-rockets,  volleys 
of  cannon,  masses,  public  meetings,  patriotic 
songs,  speeches,  tri-colors,  and  Italian  versions 
of  "The  Marseillaise."' 

In  a  short  time  the  Senator  wns  almost  as 
well  as  ever.  Not  so  Dick.  After  struggling 
heroically  for  the  first  day  against  his  pain  he 
succumbed,  and  on  tho  morning  of  the  second 
wrs  unable  to  leave  his  bed. 

ina  ocunlur  wuuiu  not  ieiim  iiiiii.  Tiie 
kind  attention  which  he  had  once  before  shown 
in  Rome  was  now  repeated.  He  spent  nearly 
all  his  time  in  Dick's  room,  tarring  to  him 


when  he  was  awake,  and  looking  at  him  \vh'.!!i 
asleep.     Dick  was  touched  to  the  heart. 

The  Senator  thought  that,  without  exception, 
Bologna  was  the  best  Italian  city  that  ho  had 
seen.  It  had  a  solid  look.  The  people  were 
not  such  everlasting  fools  as  the  Neapolitans, 
the  Romans,  and  the  Florentines,  who  thought 
that  the  highest  end  of  life  was  to  make  pict- 
ures and  listen  to  music.  They  devoted  their 
energies  to  nn  article  of  nourishment  which  was 
calculated  to  benefit  the  world.  He  alluded  to 
the  famous  Boh<jna  Sarmnr/e,  and  he  put  it  to 
Dick  seriously,  whether  the  manufacture  of  n 
sausage  which  was  so  eminently  adapted  to 
sustain  life  was  not  a  far  nobler  thing  tlian  the 
production  of  useless  pictures  for  the  pampered 
tastes  of  a  bloated  aristocracy. 

Meanwhile  Buttons  fared  differently.  If  Iio 
had  been  more  afflicted  ho  was  now  more  blcsscil. 
The  Don  seemed  to  think  that  the  sufferings  c.f 
Buttons  were  caused  by  himself,  or,  at  any  rate, 
by  the  eagerness  of  the  young  man  to  come  to 
tho  assistance  of  his  sisters.  Ho  felt  grateful 
accordingly,  and  spared  no  pains  to  give  him 
assistance  and  relief.  He  procured  the  best 
medical  advice  in  the  city.  For  several  days 
tho  poor  fellow  lay  in  n  very  dangerous  con- 
dition, hovering  between  life  and  death.  His 
wounds  were  numerous  and  severe,  and  the  ex- 
citement nftenvard,  with  the  fatigue  of  the  ride, 
had  made  his  situation  worse.  But  a  strong 
constiiution  was  on  his  side,  uuu  ho  ui  IcugLii 
was  able  to  leave  his  bed  and  his  room. 

Ho  was  as  pale  as  death,  and  woefully  cmn- 
ciated.      B;'.t  the  society  oi  the  ladies  acted  lik j 


118 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIXj 


n  charm  upon  him  ;  and  from  the  moment  when 
lie  left  bis  room  his  strength  came  beck  rap- 
iJly. 

IIo  wonld  have  liked  it  still  better  if  he  had 
been  able  to  see  the  younger  sister  alone ;  but 
lliat  was  impossible,  fur  the  siiitcrs  were  inscp- 
urablc.  One  evening,  however,  tlio  Don  of- 
fured  to  take  them  to  tlie  rathcdrul  to  sec  some 
ceremony.  Ida  declined,  but  the  other  engcr- 
ly  accepted. 

So  Buttons  for  the  first  time  in  his  life  fuund 
himself  alone  with  the  maid  of  his  heart.  It 
was  a  solemn  season. 

Both  were  much  embarrassed.  Buttons 
looked  as  though  he  had  something  dreadful 
to  tell;  the  Seiiorita  as  though  she  had  soiop- 
tliing  dreadful  to  hear.  At  length  Buttoiis 
began  to  tell  the  story  of  his  many  searr)  :s, 
)iursuit8,  wanderings,  etc.,  in  search  of  1'";;  nd 
particularly  his  last  search  at  Florence,  in  which 
lie  had  grown  disheartened,  and  had  made  up 
liis  mind  to  follow  her  to  Spain.  At  last  he 
ciinic  to  the  time  when  he  caught  up  to  them 
on  the  rond.  He  had  seen  them  first.  His 
lienri  told  him  that  one  of  the  ladies  was  Ida. 
'I'licii  he  had  lost  all  control  of  himself,  and 
]i:\d  leaped  down  to  rescue  her. 

The  Spanish  nature  is  an  im])Ctuous,  a  de- 
monstra"ve,  a  fiery  nature.  The  Seiiorita  was 
a  Spaniard.  As  Buttons  told  all  this  in  pas- 
sionate words,  to  which  his  ardent  love  gave 
resistless  eloquence,  her  whole  manner  showed 
that  her  heart  responded.  An  uncontrollable 
excitement  filled  her  being;  her  lorge,  lustrous 
eyes,  bright  with  the  glow  of  the  South,  now 
beamed  more  luminously  through  her  tears, 
f.nd — in  short :  Buttons  felt  encouraged — and 
ventured  neorer — and,  almost  before  lie  knew 
it  himself,  somehow  or  other,  his  arm  had  got 
round  a  slender  waist ! 

While  the  Seiiorita  trembled — timidly  drew 
1  lack — ond  then  all  was  still  I  — except,  of  course, 
whisperings — and  broken  sentences — and  soft, 

sweet Well,  all  these  were  brought  to  an 

abrupt  close  by  the  return  of  the  Don  and  his 
sister. 

As  they  entered  the  room  they  saw  Buttons 
nt  one  end,  and  the  Seiiorita  at  the  other.  Tiie 
iiioonbeams  stole  in  softly  through  tlie  win- 
dow. 

"  Wliy  did  you  not  call  for  a  light?" 

"  Oh,  it  is  so  pleasant  iu  tliu  nioonshins  !" 

At  the  end  of  a  few  weeks  there  cnmc  the 
great,  the  unlooked-for,  the  unho]ieil-for  news 
— the  Peace  of  Villafranca  !  So  war  «  as  over. 
Moreover,  the  mad  was  open.  They  could  go 
wherever  they  wished. 

Buttons  was  now  strong  enough  to  travel. 
Ditk  and  the  Senator  were  as  well  as  ever. 
The  news  of  the  I'cace  was  deliglitful  to  the 
travellers. 

railed  at  Najmlcon.  Tlicy  forgot  all  tliat  he 
hud  done,  and  taunted  him  wiili  wliat  he  had 
neglected  to  do.      They  insulted  him.      They 


made  caricatures  of  him. 
dalous  reports  about  him. 
the  world. 


They  spread  scan- 
euch  is  the  wav  uf 


CHAPTER  XLIX. 

CROSSINO    INTO    THE    ENEMY'8    COC3JTRT. — CON- 
STEIINATION  OF  THE  Cl'STOM-UOrsE  OFFICEII*. 

TiiK  journey  was  a  pleasant  one.  The  Span, 
iards  were  an  agreeable  addition  to  the  parly 
in  the  estimation  of  otliers  than  Buttons.  Tlie 
Sen.ttor  devoted  himself  ])artieularl\  to  the  eld- 
er  sister.  Indeed,  liis  acquaintance  with  /,« 
Cica,  as  ho  afterward  confessed,  had  given  hini 
a  taste  for  foreign  ladies.  He  carried  on  little 
conversations  with  the  Seiiorita  in  broken  En- 
glish. The  Seiiorita's  English  was  pretty,  but 
not  very  idiomatic.  The  Senator  imitated  her 
English  remarkably  well,  and  no  doubt  did  it 
out  of  compliment.  He  also  astonished  the 
company  by  speaking  at  the  very  toj>  of  a  voice 
whose  ordinary  tone  was  far  stronger  than  com- 
mon. 

The  journey  from  B(Mogna  to  Ferrara  was 
not  diversified  by  ony  incident.  Buttons  wos 
rapidly  regaining  his  gayety  and  his  8trcn;tli. 
He  wore  his  arm  in  a  sling,  it  is  true,  but 
thought  it  better  to  have  a  broken  arm  with  the 
Seiiorita  than  a  sound  one  without  her.  It 
must  be  confessed,  however,  that  his  hap)  inc.ss 
was  visible  not  so  much  in  lively  conversation 
as  in  his  flushed  cheek,  glistening  eye,  and  gen- 
eral air  of  ecstasy.  Moreover,  Ida  could  not 
speak  English  much — a  conversation  in  that 
language  was  diflBcult,  and  they  would  not  bo 


ifppP^ 


lirTTOXS  IN  Bi.;f 


THE  DODGE  CLUD ;  OH,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


119 


•o  rudo  to  the  Senator  oa  to  talk  SpanUli  in  liis 
prcMnce.  The  consequence  was  tliat  the  con- 
Tcrsation  flagged,  and  the  Senator  was  by  far 
the  most  talkatiTe  member  of  the  company,  and 
laid  out  all  his  strength  in  broken  English. 

ITcrrara  was  reached  at  last,  and  they  put  up 
at  a  hotel  which  boasted  of  having  entertained 
in  its  day  any  quantity  of  kings,  emperors,  ond 
nobles  of  every  European  nation.  It  is  an  as- 
tonishing town.  Vast  squares,  all  desolate; 
great  cathedrals,  empty;  proud  palaces,  neg- 
lected and  ruinous;  broad  streets,  grass-grown 
and  empty ;  long  rows  of  houses,  without  in- 
habitants; it  presents  the  spectacle  of  a  city 
dying  without  hope  of  recoverj-.  The  Senator 
walked  through  every  street  iii  Forrnra,  looked 
carelessly  at  Tasso's  dungeon,  and  seemed  to 
feel  relieved  when  they  left  the  city. 

On  arrivinj;  at  the  To,  which  forms  the 
boundary  between  this  district  and  Vetietia, 
they  underwent  some  examination  from  the  au- 
thorities, but  crossed  without  accident.  Bnt  on 
the  other  side  they  found  the  Austrian  officials 
far  more  particular.  They  asked  a  multiplicity 
of  questions,  opened  every  trunk,  scanned  tlie 
passports,  ond  detained  them  long.  The  ladies 
were  annoyed  in  a  similar  manner,  and  a  num- 
ber of  Roman  and  Neapolitan  trinkets  wliich 
had  passed  the  Italian  doyanas  were  now  taken 
from  them. 

Dick  had  a  valise,  both  compartments  of 
which  were  strapped  down  carefully.  'Under  a 
calm  exterior  ho  concealed  a  throbbing  heart, 
for  in  that  valise  was  the  Doctor's  pistol,  ui)on 
which  he  relied  in  anticipation  of  future  dan- 
gers. Tiie  officials  opened  the  valise.  It  was 
apparently  a  puzzle  to  them.  They  fonnd  but 
little  clothing.  On  the  contrary,  a  very  exten- 
sive assortment  of  articles  wrapped  in  paper  ar.d 
labelled  very  neatly.  Those  they  opened  one 
by  one  in  the  first  compartment,  and  found  the 
following : 

1,  Six  collars;  2,  a  brick;  3,  lump  of  lime  ;  4,  pebblea; 
B,  plaster;  0,  oahei;  7,  paper;  8,  auollier  brick ;  !i,BChlp; 
10,  more  plaster;  11,  more  ashes  ;  12,  an  ink  bottle;  13, 
tlireo  pair  stockingi;  14,  more  ashes;  15,  more  ashei ; 
16,  a  neck-lie;  U,  a  bit  of  wood ;  IS,  vial;  19,  some  grass; 
2ii,  bone  ;  '-'l,  rag ;  23,  stone ;  23,  another  stone ;  24,  some 
more  grass  ;  25,  more  pebbles;  26,  more  bones;  ..'7,  pot  of 
blacking;  28,  slippers;  2'J,  more  ttuuet ;  30,  more  stones. 

The  officials  started  up  with  nn  onth  apiece. 
Their  heavy  German  faces  confj  ontod  Dick  with 
wrath  and  imlignation,  and  every  separate  hair 
of  their  «iirliko  mustaches  stood  out.  How- 
ever, tlicy  swallowed  their  rage,  and  turned  to 
the  others.  Dick  drew  a  lon^r  breath  of  relief. 
The  pistol  was  safe.  It  had  been  taken  apart 
and  e.ich  piece  wrapped  in  jiaper  and  labelled. 
Had  he  carried  it  about  with  him  it  would  have 
been  taken. 

The  Senator  thought  it  was  better  to  have 
three  battles  with  brigands  than  one  encounter 
with  custom-house  officials.      He  had  a  little  | 
store   of  specimens   of  Italian    maniifuctiires, 
which  were  all  taken  from   him.     One  thinR ' 
struck  him  forcibly,  and  that  was  the  general  | 
stiperiorityof  the  Austrian  over  tlio  Komnn  side. 


I  There  was  more  thrift,  neatness,  and  apparent 
j  prosperity.  His  sentiments  on  this  subject  were 
,  embodied  in  a  letter  home,  which  he  wrote  from 
i  I'adua  on  a  dreary  evening  which  they  spent 
I  there  before  starting  for  Venice : 

I  "If  this  part  of  Italy  is  opprened  by  Anatria,  then  all 
I  can  say  I',  tliat  the  preasUM  has  sqikezud  an  immenxi 
amount  of  vegetation  out  of  the  soil,     rasaing  from  tlie 

j  Itoman  temtorlea  into  the  Austrian  is  like  going  from 
darkness  into    light,  or  from  Canada  into  the  United 

I  8Ute«.  What  kind  of  people  aro  there  who  do  better 
under  foreign  rule  tlian  native  f    In  my  opinion,  the  ter- 

i  ritoriea  of  tlie  Pope  are  worse  than  tlioee  oi^other  rulen  la 
lUly.  A  Spanish  friend  of  mine  tells  me  that  It  Is  be- 
cause the  thoughts  of  the  Pope's  subjects  are  set  not  on  tliinga 
below,  but  on  things  on  high.  He  tells  mo  that  we've  got 
to  choose  between  two  masters— CliHstiaulty  on  the  one 
hand,  and  Mammon  on  the  other.  Whoever  chooses  the 
latter  will  be  destitute  of  the  former.  He  gives  as  exam- 
plea  of  this  France,  England,  and  America,  which  coun- 
tries, though  possessed  of  the  highest  material  blesBlngs, 
are  yet  a  prey  to  crime,  seepticlam,  doubt,  lufldellty, 
heresy,  false  doctrine,  and  all  manner  of  similar  evils. 
Tlioae  nations  which  prefer  religion  to  worldly  prosperity 
present  a  differerft  scene;  and  he  points  to  Spain  and 
Italy— poor  In  this  world's  goods,  but  rich  in  faith- the 
only  evils  which  afflict  them  being  the  nclgliborliood  of 
unlwlievlng  nations." 


CHAPTER  L. 


VENICE  AND  ITS  PECULIAR  GLORT. — THE  DOHCB 
CLUB  COME  TO  CHIEF  AT  LAST. — UP  A  TltEIi.— 
IN  A  NET,  ETC. 

Few  sensations  ore  so  sin;;ular  as  thot  which 
the  traveller  experiences  on  his  first  approach  to 
Venice.  The  railway  passes  for  miles  through 
swamps,  pools,  ponds,  and  broken  mud  banks, 
till  at  length,  bursting  away  altogether  from  the 
shore,  it  pushes  directly  out  into  the  sea.  Away 
goes  the  train  of  cars  over  the  long  viaduct, 
and  the  traveller  within  can  scarcely  understand 
the  situation.  The  firm  and  even  roll  and  the 
thunder  of  the  wheels  tell  of  solid  gronnd  be- 
neath ;  but  outside  of  the  windows  on  either 
side  there  is  nothing  but  a  wide  expanse  of  sea. 

At  length  the  city  is  reached.  The  train 
stops,  and  the  passenger  steps  out  into  the  sta- 
tion-house. Hut  what  a  station-house!  and 
what  a  city  !  There  is  the  usual  shouting  from 
carriers  and  cabmen,  but  none  of  that  deep  roar 
of  a  large  city  which  in  every  other  place  drones 
heavily  into  the  traveller's  ear. 

Going  out  to  what  he  thinks  is  a  street,  the 
traveller  finds  merely  a  canal.  Where  are  the 
carriages,  cabs,  calocl^,  hand-carts,  Imrouches, 
pony -carriages,  c;\rryalls,  wagons,  hansoms, 
hackneys,  wheelbarrows,  broughams,  dop-carts, 
buggies?  Where  are  the  horses,  marcs,  dogs, 
pigs,  ponies,  oxen,  cows,  cats,  colts,  calves,  and 
live-stock  generally  ? 

Nowhere.  There's  not  a  wheeled  carriage 
in  the  place.  It  may  be  doubted  if  tliere  is 
o  dog.  There  certainly  is  not  a  cow.  The 
people  use  goats'  milk.  The  horse  is  as  un- 
known as  the  pterodactyl,  icthyosaurus,  dodo, 
iiriianndon,  ninst/wlnti,  frrcat  awk.  How  do  thev 
go  about?  Where  aro  thi  conveniences  for 
moving  to  and  fro? 

Then,  at  the  platform  of  the  station,  a  score 
or  two  of  light  gondolas  await  you.     T!io  gon- 


130 


THE  DODGE  CLUB;  OK,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


DICK  B  LDUOAGE. 


dolicr  is  the  cabman.  lie  waits  f.)r  you,  with 
his  hand  toward  yon,  and  the  true  "Keb,  Sir!" 
tone  and  smile.  A  doublc-sizcd  f;ondola  is  here 
called  an  "  omnibus,"  and  tlie  name  is  painted 
on  the  side  in  huge  letters.  And  these  are  the 
substitutes  for  wheeled  vcliides. 

Now  after  entering  one  of  these  yon  goalonp; 
smoothly  and  noiselessly.  The  first  thing  one 
notices  in  Venice  is  the  absence  of  noise.  As 
the  boat  goes  along  the  only  sound  that  is  hoard 
is  the  sharp  cry  from  the  boatman  as  he  np- 
proaches  a  comer.  At  first  the  novelty  inter- 
ests tlie  mind,  afterward  it  affects  the  spirits. 
Ill  three  days  most  peojilc  leave  the  city  in  a 
kind  of  panic.  The  stillness  is  awful.  A  long- 
er stay  would  reduce  one  to  a  state  of  mcl- 
anclioly  madness.  A  few  poets,  however,  have 
been  able  to  endure,  and  even  to  love,  the  sepul- 
chral stillness  of  the  city.  But  to  appreciate 
Venice  one  must  be  strongly  poetical. 

There  are  many  things  to  bo  seen.  First  of 
iill,  there  is  the  city  itself,  one  grand  curiosity, 
uui^no,  with  nothing  on  earth  that  bears  a  dis- 
tant approach  to  it.  Its  canals,  g(  dolas, 
nnliquo  monuments,  Byzantine  architecture, 
bridges,  mystery :  its  pretty  women  with  black 
lace  veils,  the  true  glory  of  Venice — though 
ilnrray  says  nothing  about  them. 

For  Murray,  in  what  was  meant  to  be  an  ex- 
haustive description  of  Venice,  has  omitted  all 
mention  of  that  which  makes  it  what  it  is. 
»*i  iicrcn^  ',k  iz  uHyA  tiCcii  aicnicr <n!»iCtiCt  oi  Tu  urriiv 
lie  would  have  rolled  out  the  following  epithets : 
7,VT7?.6KCfini,  drra/.ai,  ,t"po'?^f'f,  ijVKOiwi,  ftn^ovrj- 
^;'rr,  cparcii'a',  Ka'A?.ir:/.6iia/wt,  e/.Kc xiTuirc,  kv- 


?-(j  i'/zoXto/ ;  K.  T.  ?.. 

Thetravellersvisited  the  whole  round  of  sights. 
They  remained  in  company  and  went  about  in 
the  same  gondola.  The  Senator  admired  what 
he  saw  as  much  as  nny  of  them,  though  i  ap- 
peared to  bo  out  of  Ilia  particular  line.  It  was 
not  the  Cathedral  of  St.  Mark's,  however,  nor 
the  Doge's  Palace,  nor  the  Court  of  the  Inquisi- 
tion, nor  the  Bridge  of  Siglis,  nor  the  Kialto, 
that  interested  him,  but  rather  the  spectacle  of 
all  these  magnificent  edifices  around  him.  with 
all  the  massive  masonry  of  a  vast  city,  built  u]) 
laboriously  on  the  uncertain  sand.  He  admired 
the  Venetians  who  had  done  this.  To  such  men, 
he  thought,  the  commerce  of  the  world  might 
well  have  belonged.  In  discussing  the  causes 
of  the  decline  of  Venice  lie  summed  up  the  sub- 
ject in  a  few  words,  and  in  the  clearest  pcssiblu 
manner. 

"  These  Venetians,  « hen  they  sot  up  shop, 
were  in  the  principal  street  of  the  world — the 
Mediterranean.  '1  hoy  had  the  best  stand  in  the 
street.  They  dill  work  up  their  business  uncom- 
mon well  now,  nnd  no  mistake.  Tlioy  made 
money  hand  over  fist,  and  whatever  advaiitngo 
could  bo  given  by  energy,  capital, and  a  good  loca- 
tion, they  got.  But  the  currents  of  trafKc  cliango 
in  the  world  just  as  they  do  in  a  city.  After  a 
while  it  jinssed  in  anotlicr  direction.  Venice 
Was  thrown  out  altogether.  She  Iind  no  more 
ctiiinrc  Ltitin  a  ~\Cvi  lorK  ^uOp  wouiu  iia»r  .ilici' 
the  business  that  it  lived  on  had  gone  into  an- 
other street.  Hence,"  said  the  Senator— lie  iil- 
.vavs  said  "hence"  when  he  wr.s  comint:  tn  a 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


triampliant  conclusion — "hcnco  the  downfall 
of  Venice." 

On  arriving  nt  their  hotel  a  little  circamstance 
occurred  which  made  there  look  at  v  cnice  from 
a  new  and  startling  jx)int  of  view.  On  going 
to  their  rooms  after  dinner  they  were  followed 
ly  a  file  of  Austrian  soldiers.  They  wanted  to 
see  the  passports.  They  requested  this  in  a 
thick  guttural  tone,  which  made  the  Americans 
fjel  quite  nervous.  They  showed  the  passports 
nevertheless. 

On  looking  over  them  the  Austrian  soldiers  ar- 
rested them.  They  were  informed  that  if  they 
went  peaceably  tliey  would  be  well  treated,  but 
if  they  made  any  resistance  they  would  all  be 
bound. 

The  Americans  remonstrated.  No  use.  A 
thousand  conjectures  were  made  as  to  the  cause 
i)f  their  arrest,  lint  they  were  completely  baffled. 
JJeforo  they  could  arrive  at  any  conclusion  they 
had  arrived  at  the  i>lace  of  their  destination,  to 
"hirh  they  had,  of  course,  been  taken  in  a  gon- 
dola. It  was  too  dark  to  distinguish  the  place, 
but  it  looked  like  a  largo  and  gloomy  edifice. 
The  soldiers  tojk  tlicm  to  a  room,  where  thev 


191 

locked  them  nil  in  together.  It  was  a  comforta- 
ble apanment,  with  another  larger  one  opening 
from  it,  in  which  were  two  beds  and  two  couches. 
Evidently  they  were  not  neglected. 

After  waiting  for  half  the  night  in  a  kind  of 
fever  they  retired  to  rest.  They  slept  but  little. 
They  rose  early,  and  at  about  seven  o'clock 
breakfast  was  brought  in  to  them,  with  a  guard 
of  soldiers  following  the  waiters. 

After  breakfast  they  were  visited  again.  This 
time  it  was  a  legal  gentleman.  Tlii-y  did  not 
know  who  he  was,  but  he  gave  them  to  under- 
stand tliat  he  was  a  person  high  in  authoritv. 
He  questioned  them  very  closely  as  to  their  bus- 
iness in  Venice,  but  did  his  questioning  in  a 
courteous  manner.  After  obout  an  hour  ho 
left. 

Lunch  w.ns  brought  in  at  one  o'clock.  Their 
feelings  at  being  treated  in  this  mysterious  man- 
ner can  be  imagined.  Such  neglect  of  tha 
rights  of  man— such  trifling  with  his  time  and 
patience— such  utter  disregard  of  habeas  corpus, 
awaked  indignation  which  words  could  not  ex- 
press. 

Tositivcly  they  were  treated  like  dumb  cotlle; 


IIS 


THE  DODGE  CLUB  j  OB,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


locked  up,  fed,  deprived  of  liberty  and  fresh  air ; 
no  tummunication  with  friends  outside;  and, 
worst  o''  all,  no  idea  in  the  world  of  the  cause 
of  their  imprisonment.  They  came  to  the  con- 
clusion that  they  were  mistaken  for  some  other 
parties  —  for  some  Cacciaiori  dcjU  Aljii ;  and 
Buttons  insisted  that  the  Senator  was  supposed 
tc  bo  Garibaldi  himself.  In  these  troulilous 
times  i\ny  idea,  however  absurd,  might  be  acted 
ufMn. 

At  about  three  in  the  afternoon  the  door  was 
tlirown  open,  and  a  file  of  soldiers  appeared. 
An  officer  approached  and  requested  the  prison- 
ers to  follow.  They  did  so.  They  passed  along 
many  halls,  and  at  length  came  to  a  large  room. 
A  long  table  extended  nearly  from  one  end  to 
another.  Soldiers  were  arranged  down  the  sides 
of  the  apartment. 

At  the  head  of  the  tabic  sat  an  elderly  man, 
with  a  stern  face,  ferocious  mustache,  sharp  eye, 
bushy  gray  eyebrows,  and  universal  air  of  Mars. 
His  uniform  showed  him  to  be  a  General.  By 
his  side  was  their  visitor  of  the  n:orning.  Offi- 
cials sat  at  the  table. 

"Hi/ence!" 


CHAPTER  LI. 

fHK  AMERICAN  EAOI.E  AND  TIIR  AUSTRIAN  DOITB- 
LE-HEADED  DITTO. 

At  tho  command  of  the  Austrian  General 
ever.-  body  became  still.  Thereupon  he  motion- 
ed to  the  prisoners  to  stand  at  the  bottom  of  tho 
trb>.     They  did  fo.     The  General  took  a  long 


stare  at  the  prisoners,  particularly  at  the  Senator. 
They  bore  it  steadily.  As  for  the  Senator,  he 
regarded  the  other  with  an  expression  which 
would  have  done  honor  to  the  Austrian  General'ii 
own  father. 

"Whoare  voii?" 

The  General  spoke  in  German.  The  legal 
gentleman  at  his  side  instantly  interpreted  it 
into  English. 

"Americans." 

"Ah  I  dangerous  characters — dangerous  char- 
acters!    Wliat  is  your  business?" 

"Travellers." 

"Travellers?  Ah  I  But  what  ore  your  oc- 
cupations in  America?  ' 

"Our  passports  tell." 

"Your  puss])orts  sny — '  Gentlemen.'" 

"  Well,  we  are  gentlemen." 

The  Austrian  looked  blank.  After  a  while 
he  resumed ;  and  as  ho  directed  his  plance  to 
tho  Senator  the  latter  made  all  the  roj  lies,  while 
the  Interpreter  served  as  a  medium  ol'  commu- 
nication. 

"  How  long  have  yon  been  in  Italy  ?" 

"Two  or  three  months." 

"You  came  here  just  about  tho  commence- 
ment of  these  difficulties?" 

"Yes — the  beginning  of  the  wor." 

"Where  did  you  land?" 

"At  Naples." 

"Nnples?  Ilal  hm  !  Wlicro  did  you  go 
next  ?" 

"To  Rome.  We  stayed  there  a  few  weeks 
nnd  then  went  to  Florence  ;  from  Florence  to 
Bologna,  and  thence  through  Ferrara  and  Pa- 
dua to  Venice." 

"Yon  went  to  Florence !  How  long  ago  did 
did  you  leave  ?" 

"About  a  month  ago." 

"A  month!     Ah,  hm!" 

And  the  General  exchanged  glances  with  the 
legal  gentleman  ot  his  side. 

"What  were  you  doing  in  Florence  ?" 

"Seeing  tho  city." 

"  Did  yon  jilace  voursclvcs  in  connection  with 
the  IJevolutionists  ?" 

"No." 

"  Did  you  have  any  thing  to  do  witli  the  era- 
issaries  ef  Garibaldi?" 

"  Nothing." 

"  Take  care  ho»v  yon  deny." 

"  We  say  we  know  nothing  at  all  cither  of 
the  Revolutionists  or  Imperialists  or  G.iribaldi- 
iins  or  anv  oilier  party.  We  are  merely  travel- 
lers." 

"  Hm — a  strong  disnvowmcnt,"  said  the  Gen- 
eral to  himself.  "  Ton  have  never  in  iiiiy  way 
countenanced  the  rebels." 

"No."- 

"Think before  you  speak." 

"  AVc  are  free  Americans.  Perhaps  yon  know 
that  the  citizens  of  that  country  say  what  they 
tiiink  and  do  wiiat  they  like.  vVu  iiuvu  gone  on 
that  rule  in  Italy.  What  I  sny  is,  that  we  do 
not  know  any  thing  about  rebels  or  any  ixjlitical 
parties  i'.i  tho  country." 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCUX. 


128 


"  Do  you  know  /,<i  Cicaf"  ukcd  the  Gen- 
eral, with  the  air  of  a  man  who  nus  patting  a 
homo- thrust,  and  speaking  with  uncommon 
fierceness. 

"  I  do,"  said  the  Senator,  mildly. 

"You  know  her  well?  You  ore  ono  of  her 
intimate  friends?" 

"Ami?' 

"  Are  you  not  ?" 

"  I  am  friendly  with  her.  She  is  an  estima- 
ble woman,  witli  muc''  feeling  and  penetration  " 
— and  a  fund  regret  exhibited  itself  in  the  fucc 
of  tho  s])eaker. 

"Well,  Sir,  yon  may  as  well  confess.  Wo 
know  you.  Sir.  We  know  you.  You  are  ono 
of  tho  cliusen  associates  of  ttiat  infamous  Gari- 
baldian  plotter  and  assassin,  whose  hotel  is  the 
l>ot-bcd  of  conspiracy  and  revolution.  Wo 
know  you.  Do  you  dare  to  come  here  and  deny 
it?" 

"I  did  not  como  here;  I  was  bronpht.  I  do 
not  deny  that  you  know  me,  though  I  haven't 
tho  pleasure  of  knowing  you.  But  I  do  deny 
that  I  am  the  associate  of  conspirators." 

"  Are  you  not  tho  American  whom  La  Clca 
10  particularly  distinguished  with  hor  favor?" 

"I  have  reason  to  believe  that  she  .vas  par- 
tial to  me— somewhat." 

"Ho  confesses!"  said  the  General.  "You 
came  from  her  to  this  place,  communicating  on 
the  way  with  her  emissaries." 

"  I  communicated  on  the  way  with  none  but 
brigands  among  the  mountains.  If  they  were 
her  emissaries  I  wish  her  joy  of  them.  My 
means  of  communication,"  said  the  Senator, 
while  a  grim  smile  passed  over  his  face,  "was 
an  iron  crow-bar,  and  my  remarks  left  some  deep 
impression  on  them,  I  do  believe." 

"Tell  me  now — and  tell  me  truly,"  said  the 
General  after  a  pause,  in  which  lie  seemed  try- 
ing to  make  out  whether  the  Sen.itor  was  joking 
or  not.     "  To  whom  are  you  sent  in  this  city  ?" 

"To  no  one." 

"  Sir !  I  warn  you  that  I  will  not  bo  trifled 
with." 

"I  tell  yon,"  said  the  Senator,  with  no  appar- 
ent excitement,  "  I  tell  you  that  I  have  come 
here  tc  no  one.     What  more  can  I  say?" 

"  You  must  confess." 

"I  have  notliing  to  confess." 

"Sir!  you  have  much  to  confess," cried  tho 
General,  angrily,  "  and  I  swear  to  you  I  will 
wring  it  out  of  you.  Beware  how  you  trifle 
with  nyr  patience.  If  you  wish  to  regain  your 
liberty  confess  at  once,  and  you  may  escape  your 
just  punishment.  But  if  you  refuse,  then,  by 
the  immortal  gods,  I'll  shut  you  up  in  a  dungeon 
for  ten  years ! " 

"  You  will  do  no  such  thing." 

"  Wliat !"  roared  tlie  Oene.al.     "  Won't  I  ?" 

"Vou  will  not.  On  the  contrary,  you  will 
have  to  iniike  aix>!ojiiGs  for  tliese  insults." 

"I! — Apologies!     Insults  1" 

The  General  gnawed  his  mustache,  and  his 
eyes  blaze<l  in  fury. 

"  You  have  arrested  us  on  a  false  charge, 


based  on  some  slanderous  or  stupid  information 
of  some  of  your  infernal  spies,"  said  the  Senator. 
"What  right  have  you  to  pry  into  tho  private 
aiTairs  of  an  American  traveller?  We  haro 
nothing  to  do  with  you." 

"  You  are  associated  with  conspirators.  You 
are  charged  with  treasonable  correspondence 
with  rebels.  You  countenanced  revolution  in 
Florence.  You  openly  took  part  with  Ucpublic- 
ans.  You  are  a  notorious  friend  of  La  CUa. 
And  you  came  here  with  the  intention  of  fo- 
menting treason  in  Venice!" 

"Whoever  told  you  that,"rct)licd  tho  Sen.i- 
tor, "  told  infernal  lies — most  infcrnnl  lies.  I 
am  no  emissary  of  any  party.  I  am  a  private 
traveller." 

"  Sir,  we  have  correspondents  in  Florence  on 
whom  we  can  rely  better  than  on  you.  They 
watched  you." 

"  Then  the  best  thing  you  can  do  is  to  dismiss 
those  correspondents  and  get  rogues  who  have 
half  an  idea." 

"  Sir,  I  tell  yon  that  they  watched  you  well. 
You  had  better  confess  all.  Your  antecedents 
in  Florence  are  known.  You  are  in  a  position 
of  imminent  danger.     I  tell  you — beware .'" 

Tiic  General  said  this  in  an  awful  voice, 
A.'hich  was  meant  to  strike  terror  into  tho  soul 
of  his  captive.  The  Senator  looked  back  into 
his  eyes  with  an  expression  of  culm  scorn.  His 
form  seemed  to  grow  larger,  and  his  eyes  dilated 
as  he  spoke : 

"Then  yon,  General,  I  tell  you — beware! 
Do  you  know  who  you've  got  hold  of? — No  con- 
spirator; no  infernal  /talian  bandit,  or  Dutch- 
man either;  but  an  American  citizen.  Your 
Government  has  already  tried  the  temper  of 
Americans  on  one  or  two  remarkable  occasions. 
Don't  try  it  on  a  third  time,  and  don't  try  it  on 
with  me.  Since  you  want  to  know  who  I  am 
I'll  tell  you.  I,  Sir,  am  an  American  Senator. 
I  take  an  active  and  prominent  part  in  the  gov. 
emment  of  that  great  and  glorious  country.  I 
represent  a  constituency  of  several  hundred 
thousand.  You  tell  me  to  beware.  I  tell  you 
— Beware!  for,  by  the  Eternal!  if  you  don't 
let  me  go,  I  swear  to  you  that  you'll  have  to  give 
me  up  at  the  cannon's  mouth.  I  swear  to  you 
if  you  don't  let  me  olF  by  evening  I  won't  go  at 
all  till  I  am  delivered  up  with  humble  and  am- 
ple apologies,  both  to  iis  and  to  our  country, 
whom  you  have  insulted  in  our  persons." 

"  Sir,  you  are  bold  !" 

"Bold  I  Send  for  the  American  Consul  of 
this  city  and  see  if  he  don't  corroborate  this. 
But  you  had  better  make  haste,  for  if  you  subject 
me  to  further  disgrace  it  will  be  the  worse  fur 
your  Government,  and  particularly  fur  t/on,  my 
friend.  You'll  have  tho  town  battered  down 
about  your  ears.  Don't  get  another  nation  down 
on  you,  and,  above  all,  don't  let  that  nation  ba 

tho     A  innrif'nn  What   I   tell   VGU   i.-^   the   So!o!M!! 

truth,  and  if  you  don't  mind  it  you  will  know  it 
some  day  to  your  sorrow." 

Whatever  the  cause  may  have  been  the  com. 
pany  present,  including  even  the  General,  were 


>■■ 


13( 


THE  DOIXIE  CLUn ;  O^  ITALY  IX  MDf  CCMX. 


'  i ' '  ■ 


••DON  T  TaV    II   OX    WITU   HE  ! 


impresseJ  liy  the  Senator's  words.  T!io  nn- 
nouncement  of  his  dignity ;  the  vencraMo  title 
of  Senator  ;  the  mention  of  liis  "constituency," 
a  word  the  more  formidable  from  not  being  nt 
all  understood — all  combined  to  fill  them  with 
respect  and  even  awe. 

So  at  his  proposal  to  send  for  the  American 
Consul  the  General  pave  orders  to  a  messenger 
who  went  off  at  once  in  search  of  that  function  • 
ary. 


CHAPTER  LII. 

THE  SENATOR  STILL  EXOAOED  IN  FACIN'O  DOWN 
THE  ACSTBIAN. — THE  AMERICA?:  CONJTI,.  — 
fNEXPECTED  RE-APPEARANCE  OF  FORGOTTEX 
THINGS. — COLLAPSE  OF  THE  COURT. 

The  American  Consul  soon  made  his  nppenr- 
oncc.  Not  having  had  any  thing  to  do  for 
months,  the  prospect  of  business  gave  wings  to 
his  fcot.  Moreover,  he  felt  a  very  natural  de- 
Biro  to  help  a  countryman  in  trouble.  Upon 
entering  the  Imll  he  cast  a  rapid  look  around, 
and  seemed  surprised  at  so  angu«t  a  tribunal. 
For  in  the  Gcnerars  martial  form  he  saw  no 
less  a  person  than  the  Austrian  Commandant. 

The  Consul  bowed  and  then  looked  at  the 
prisoners.  As  hjs  eye  fell  upon  the  Senator  it 
lighted  up,  and  his  face  assumed  an  expression 
of  the  most  friendly  interest.  Kvidently  a  rec- 
ognition. Tlie  Austrian  Oommnndnnt  iidilres;';- 
ed  the  Consul  directly  in  German. 

"  Do  you  know  the  prisoners  ?" 

"  I  know  one  of  them." 

"  lie  is  hero  under  a  very  heavy  accusation 


I  have  well-substantiated  charges  by  which  he  is 
implicated  in  treason  and  conspiracy,  lie  has 
been  connected  «itli  lievolutionists  of  the  worst 
stamp  in  Florence,  and  there  is  strong  proof 
that  he  has  come  here  to  communicate  with  Kcv- 
olutionists  in  this  city.'' 

"  Who  accuses  himof  this?     Are  they  here?" 

"No,  but  they  have  written  from  Florence 
warning  mo  of  his  journey  here." 

"Does  the  prison»r  confess  ?" 

"  Of  course  not.  He  denies.  He  requested 
me  to  send  for  you.  I  don't  want  to  be  unjust, 
so  if  you  have  any  thing  to  say,  say  on." 

"These  charges  are  impossible." 

"Impossible?'' 

"  He  is  altogetlier  a  different  man  from  what 
you  suppose.  He  is  an  eminent  member  of  the 
American  Senate.  Any  charges  made  against 
one  like  him  will  have  to  be  well  substantiated  ; 
and  any  injury  done  to  him  will  be  dangerous 
in  the  highest  degree.  Unless  you  have  unde- 
niable proofs  of  his  guilt  it  will  be  best  to  free 
him  at  once— or  else — " 

"  Or  else  what?" 

"  Or  else  there  will  be  very  grave  complica- 
tions." 

The  Commnndiint  lookcil  doubtful.  The 
others  impassive.  Buttons  nnd  Dick  interested. 
The  Senator  calm.  A;.;ain  tlie  Commandant 
turned  to  the  Senator,  his  remarks  being  inter. 

nrotpfl  ne  bcforO. 

'•  IIow  does  it  happen  that  you  were  so  par- 
ticularly intimate  with  all  the  IJevoIutinnists  in 
Florence,  and  an  habitue'  of  La  Citd's  salon? 
that  your  mission  was  wcil  known  throughout 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR.  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX.  ,,5 

carried  yon  home  Tn' tnu^l  Lll'lh^  C  !  i  'Zl^^.^T'"^''-  '''"'  '"'"^'""  '""^  = 
diately  before  leaving  you  received  prir.te  in-  .in  i^.J^^^r^.^-^^rSiC'^'''' ""*"»• 
•trnctionsfrom /-a  CiV,if"  I      e^,^   i    v  j   i.     ««"«»«m. 

"  To  your  question.."  wid  the  Senator  with  '  .h-  itT^      ■  **'^''""  '^'l*  b«en  uttered  in 
nnaha.cd  dignity,  "  I  w  limply  in  brief      iw     l^or  ?*  w  ",  '°"t  ""^  !:'"'  """^"^  ""»"  ">e  Sen- 

I  am  a  freofnd'i^depende^TcItiTen  o/theS  U  frired'^S.nfV'^.'""^''  '""•; 

nnJ  Rlorious  American  Republic      If  I  ««^i  iVli;        ""f"*"-     *'"*»7  t  broad  Rrm  ,prend 

ntcd  with  RcToIutionil  in  Florence  I  dT.^  "»*,'^  °'"":  ^'«  countenance,  and  down  hi,  neck, 

bcca...  I  an,  accu.ton,rd  To  c'ho^"  m'y  own'sT  h  Ar..';ri.t'la.r;ir:?i*  'T  ","'.  '"'^ 

ter  tbat  can  forb.d  my  do.ng  «,.     I  dcny..how. ;      The  Com«.nd.„t\t.«d  .id  Kked  unea.v 

All  looked  at  the  8enator-all  with  amazel 
mcnt— the  General,  the  Interpreter,  the  Offl- 
ciaU  the  Guards,  Button*,  Dick,  and  the  Ameri- 
can  Consul. 

"Oh  dear!  Oh  de-ar/  Oh  dkee-ar!" 
cried  the  Senator,  in  th«  intervals  of  his  oou 
rageou.  peals  of  laughter.  "  Oil !"  and  a  new 
peal  followed. 

^yhat  did  all  this  mean  ?  Wat  he  cnizv; 
Had  misfortunes  turned  his  brain  ? 

But  at  Inst  the  Senator,  who  was  always  re- 


rnarkable  for  his  self-control,  recovered  himself 
lie  asked  the  Commandant  if  he  might  bo  per- 
mitted to  explain. 

"  Certainly,"  said  the  Commandant,  doleful, 
ly.  llo  was  afraid  that  the  thing  would  take  a 
ndjoulous  turn,  and  nothing  is  so  terrible  as  that 


ever,  that  I  was  in   any  way  connected  with 

plots,  rebellions,  or  conspiracies.     Secondly,  I 

was  friendly  with  the  Countess  because  I  con- 

sidered  her  a  most  remarkably   fine  woman, 

and  because  she  showed  a  disposition  to  be 

fnenJly  with  mo-a  stranger  in  a  strange  land. 

rhtrdl^.  I  have  no  mission  of  any  kind  what- 
ever. I  am  a  traveller  for  self-improvement.  I 
have  no  business  political  or  commercial.  So 
that  my  mission  could  not  have  been  known 
If  IKiople  talked  about  me  they  talked  nonsense,  i 
tourthi;,,  I  confess  I  made  a  speech,  but  what  of 
that  ?  Ifs  not  the  first  time,  by  a.  long  chalk. 
I  don't  know  what  you  mean  by  'acknowledg- 
ing. As  a  private  citizen  I  congratulated 
them  on  their  success,  and  would  do  so  again. 

had  an  intcnievv  :,ith  the  Countess^  ba,I  I?  '..,  "'n  ^"'*^.'*'"  Po'"*'/  "rried  it  to  him  a, 
V/cll.  is  it  wrong  for  a  man  tn  h,"]  ^  k  .  '•>«  C"n"nandant  nodded.  The  Senator  beck- 
a  friend  ?     I  ask  you  whatMn  .a^".  ^^        Tt'"  '^°  ^°"'"''-     ^hey  then  walked  up  to 

mean  by  such  achTgc  L'S  Do  you^'akc  I  ""'.^r'""'""-  f''  '°"'-.'"°''*^  "' '"«  ""P«'- 
me  for  o  puling  infant?"  ^ojoutako        "You    see,  gentlemen,"  said   the   Senator, 

"On  that  occasion,"  said  the  Commandant    vTZni"  ^T'^  u°°l  ^'"  f"^"""'  "  ">« 

"  sh3  taught  you  som^  mysterious  wTdtwlS  fan  ex^a^^'a^IlThif  :»'  '"  "^"r  ""  ^''"^-  ^ 
we.  to  be  repeated  among  the  Revolutionist^  P^taVd'lf^ttirg  of^p^-"'^::;.^ 

"Never  did  any  thing  of  the  kind.  That's  hoiT''  ^°°''  ""^  '""'^  '''^"'  ^'''^  ""'"  * 
a  complete  full-blown  fiction."  1      ..  ,v-,,  »„ 

"  I  have  the  very  words."  «w„ii     i,    •     •      . 

"That's  impossible.  You've  cot  hold  of  the  t  inn  t  '  1 !  '°*  •  °°  ""^  ""'''''«  "  l"""*- 
wrong  man  I  cee."  "  *e  got  iioia  of  tlio   ton      I  had  to  give  in.     The  only  one  I  could 

"  I  will  have  them  read, "  «aid  the  General,       '     "    '""  "  ^'"°  °'" '''"  ^'°'^  ^^'''"«-" 


solemnly. 

And  ho  beckoned  to  the  Interpreter.  Where- 
upon the  Interpreter  gravely  took  out  a  formi- 
dable roll  of  papers  from  his  breast,  and  opened 
It.     Every   gesture   was   made  as   though   his 


Uattsf    Ah  !  I  don't  know  him," said  the 
Interpreter. 

"  He  was  a  minister — a  parson  " 
"Ah!" 

"  So  I  said  it  to  her,  nnd  she  repeated  it 
These  friends  of  yours,  General,  have  taken  it 


hand  was  heavy  with  the  weigh     o  fcr°u.hinc  down  h'^^h         ^T^-^'f  ™''  ^"''^  '"^''^  '' 

proof.     At  last  a  paper  was  produced      S  ,t;^' ''""'>•='!•  f ?«='""«»>'"!«  ""usual, "said 

fail  in  this.     The  person  who  procured  it  did  ^^ ^IfvilUno  »oul  trmU  mai/ 

interview,  so  that   ho  gained   no   explanation  To  tverla^ting  blUs.''        ^ 

whatever  Horn  the  conversation  "  ti,„  t  .                      ... 

"•                           '  The  Interpreter  saw  it  all.     He  looked  pro- 


i2n 


iHir-i 


^  if 


TIIK  DODGE  CLUB;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDtCCLIX. 


WATT«  uiB-erKLi.Er 


fnundly  foolish.  TIio  wliolo  thing  was  cli'nr. 
The  Senator's  innocence  wns  j)lain.  lie  f uinoil 
to  exphiin  to  the  Commandant.  Tlio  Consul's 
face  exhibited  a  variety  of  expressions,  over 
wliich  a  broad  grimaco  finally  predominated, 
like  sunshine  over  an  April  sky.  In  a  few  words 
tlio  whole  was  made  plain  to  the  Conimandnnf. 
He  looked  annoyed,  glared  an;;rily  at  the  Inter- 
preter,  tossed  the  papers  on  the  floor,  and  rose 
to  his  feet. 

"  Give  these  pentlemen  our  apologies,"  said  he 
to  the  Interpreter.  "  In  times  of  trouble,  when 
States  have  to  be  held  subject  to  martial  law, 
jirocecdings  are  abrupt.  Their  own  good  sense 
will,  I  trust,  enable  them  to  appreciate  the  diffi- 
culty of  our  position.     They  are  at  liberty." 

At  liberty !  No  sooner  were  the  words  spok- 
en than  the  prisoners  bowed  and  left,  in  com- 
pany with  the  Consul,  who  eagerly  shook  hands 
with  nil  three,  particularly  the  Senator,  who,  as 
they  w«rc  leaving,  was  heard  to  whisper  some- 
thing in  wliich  these  words  were  audible  : 

"  Wii'al,  old  hoss!  The  American  eagle 
showed  it  claws,  anyhow." 


CHArTEU  Liir. 

A  MTSTEniOTS  FLIOIIT. — DESI'AIR  OF  BfTTONS. — 

puusriT.—  msTomo   gkolnd,  akd  uistokic 

CITIES. 

It  was  about  seven  o'clock  in  tlie  evening 
when  they  reached  their  hotel.  Every  thing 
was  as  they  had  left  it.  Some  trifles  had  oc- 
curred, such  as  a  general  overhaul  of  the  bag- 


gage, in  which  the  Doctor's  pistol  bad  again 
miraculously  escaped  seizure.  Buttons  went 
immediately  to  rail  on  the  Spaniards,  but  their 
apartment  was  closed.  Sup|)osing  that  they 
were  out  about  the  town,  ho  returned  to  his 
f'liendt. 

During  their  memorable  captivity  they  had 
cntin  but  little,  and  now  nothing  was  more  wcl- 
cnme  than  a  dinner.  So  they  ordered  the  very 
bot  that  the  hotel  could  supply,  and  made  tho 
American  Consul  stay.  Buttons  did  not  give 
himself  up  so  completely  as  the  rest  to  the  hi- 
liirit/  of  tho  occasion.  Something  wns  on  his 
mind.  So  ho  took  advantage  of  n  conversation 
in  which  the  Senator  was  giving  tho  Consul  an 
animated  description  of  the  fight  with  the  brig- 
ands, and  the  pluck  of  his  two  "boys,"  and 
stole  out  of  the  room.  Whereupon  the  Sena- 
tor stopped  and  remarked — 

"  Hang  these  fellows  that  are  in  love  !" 

"  Certainly,''  said  Dick.  "They  often  hang 
themselves,  or  feel  like  it." 

"  Of  courxe  Buttons  is  on  his  usual  errand." 

"Of  course." 

"  It  seems  to  me  that  his  foreign  travel  has 
become  nothing  but  one  long  chase  oftcr  that 
gal.     lie  is  certainly  most  uncommon  devoted." 

Scarce  had  these  words  been  spoken  when 
the  door  wns  flung  open,  and  Buttons  made  his 
ap|ionrnncc,  much  agitated. 

"What's  tho  matter?  "  cried  Dick.  "The 
Spaniards!"  "Well?"  "They're  ofT!"  "OfT'r" 
"(ione!"  "Where?"  "Away  from  Venice." 
"When?"  "Idon't  know."  "Why?"  "I 
don't  know." 

I  "  What  sent  them  ?  It  looks  as  though  ihey 
were  running  away  from  you  on  puriKise." 
I  "They're  off,  at  any  rate,"  cried  Buttons. 
"I  went  to  their  room.  It  wos  open.  Tho 
servants  were  fixing  it  up.  I  asked  why.  They 
I  said  the  Spaniards  had  left  Venice  early  this 
morning.     They  did  not  know  any  thing  more." 

"Strange!" 

"  Strange,  of  course.  It's  so  sndden.  Their 
plans  were  laid  out  for  a  week  in  Venice." 

"Perhaps  they  were  frightened  at  our  advent- 
ure." 

Buttons  sprung  to  the  bell  and  pulled  it  rig- 
orously. Then  he  rushed  to  the  door  and  flung 
it  open.  Five  or  six  waiters  came  tumbling  in. 
They  had  all  been  listening  at  the  ke3'-hole. 

"Where's  the  chief  waiter?" 

"  litre,"  said  th.it  functionary,  approaching. 

"Come  here.  You  may  retire,"  said  But- 
tons to  the  others.     They  went  out  reluctantly. 

"Now,  my  friend,"  said  ho,  putting  some  pi- 
astres in  the  hand  of  the  chief  waiter.  "  Think, 
and  answer  me  right.  Where  are  tho  Span- 
iards— a  gentleman  and  two  ladies — who  came 
here  with  us  ?" 

"They  have  left  the  citv." 

"  AVhpn  ?" 

"  At  six  this  morning,  by  the  first  train." 

"Why  did  they  leave  ?" 

"  A  hint  came  from  the  Commandant." 

"  From  him.    Ah  !    What  about  ?" 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OB,  ITALY  LV  MDOCCLIX. 


"Wliv— you  know— yonr  Excellencies  wera 
waited  on  by  a  dcpntation." 

"Wo  were  arretted.     Well  ?" 

"Well,  theie  Spaniard*  were  frienda  of 
yours." 

"Yes." 

"  That  connection  made  them  soipectod  " 

"Diuvolo!" 

"Sudi  i»  the  melancholy  fact.  Thero  was 
no  cause  strong?  enough  to  lead  to  their  arrest. 
It  would  have  been  inconycnicnt.  So  theCom- 
raandant  sent  a  mossBKC,  immediately  after  your 
lixcellcncy's  lamentable  arrest,  to  warn  them—"' 

"What  of?" 

"That  they  had  better  Icavo  the  country  at 
once." 

"  Ye«,  but  that  didn't  force  them  to  pj." 

"Ah,  Signorc!  Do  you  not  know  what 
such  a  warning  is  ?     Thero  ic  no  refusal." 

"And  so  they  left." 

"At  six  by  the  train." 

"Whereto?" 

"Sijjnore,  they  had  their  passports  made 
out  for  Milan." 

"  Milan  !" 

"Certainly.  It  was  necessary  for  them  not 
only  to  Icivo  Venice,  but  Venetia." 

"Very  well.  When  docs  the  next  train 
leave  ?" 

"  Not  till  to-morrow  morring  at  six." 

"  You  must  call  us  then  at  five,  for  we  are 

KP'PK-^    Here,  take  our  passports  and  get  them 

vised;"  and  having  explained  matters  to  the 

Senator,  Buttons  found  no  need  of  persuasion 


127 


to  induce  them  to  quit  the  city,  so  the  paisporu 
were  handed  oror  to  the  waiter. 

So  at  six  the  next  morning  they  went  flying 
over  tho  sea.  over  the  lagoon*,  over  the  marshes, 
over  the  plains,  away  toward  Lombardy. 

They  had   to  stop  for  a  while  at  Verona, 
waiting  to  comply  with   "some  formalities." 
They  had  time  to  walk  about  the  town  and  see 
the  Itoman  ruins  and  the  fortifications.     Of  all 
these  much  might  be  said,  if  it  were  not  to  be 
found  already  in  Guide-books,  Letters  of  Corre- 
Biwndcnts,  Books  of  Travel,  Gazetteers,  and  Il- 
lustrated   Newspapers.       Our    travellers   taw 
enough  of  the  mighty  military  works,  in  a  brief 
sur>ey,  to  make  them  thoroughly  comprehend 
the  Peace  of  Villafranca.     In  the  neighborhood 
of  Solfcrino  they  left  tho  train  to  inspect  tho 
scone  of  battle.     Only  a  month  had  passed  since 
tho  terrific  contest,  and  tho  traces  remained  vis- 
ible on  every  side.      The  peasants  had  made 
two  trenches  of  enormous  size.     In  one  of  these 
tho  bodies  of  tho  Austrians  had  been  buried,  in 
the  other  those  of  tho  French  and  Italians.     In 
one  place  thero  was  a  vast  heap  of  arms,  which 
had  been  gathered  from  off  the  field.     There 
was  no  piece  among  them  which  was  not  bent 
or  broken.     All  were  of  the  best  construction 
and  latest  pattern,   but   had  seen  their  day. 
Shattered    trees,    battered    walls,    crumbling 
houses,  deep  ruts   in  the  earth,  appeared  on 
every  side  to  show  where  tho  battle  had  raged ; 
yet  already  the  grass,  in  iu  swift  growth,  had 
obliterated  tho  chief  marks  of  tho  tremendous 
conflict. 

At  length  they  arrived  at  Milan.     Tho  city 
presented  a  most  imposing  appearance.      Its 
natural  situation,  its  magnificent  works  of  archi- 
tecture, its  stately  arches  and  majestic  avenues 
presented  an  appearance  which  was  now  height- 
ened by  tho  presence  of  victory.      It  was  as 
though  tho  entire  population  had  given  them- 
selves up  to  rejoicing.     The  evil  spirit  had  been 
cast  out,  and  the  house  thoroughly  swept  and 
garnished.     The  streets  were  filled  with  gay 
multitudes;  tho   avenues   resounded  with  the 
thrilling  strains  of  the  Marseillaise,  repeated  cv- 
crjwhcrc  ;  every  window  displayed  the  portrait 
of  Napoleon,  Victor  Emanuel,  or  Garibaldi,  and 
from  every  house-top  .flaunted  the  tri-color.     Tho 
heavy  weight  imposeJ  by  the  military  rule— the 
iron  hand,  tho  cruelty,  tho  bands  of  spies,  the 
innumerable  soldiers  sent  forth  by  Austria- 
had  been  liilcd  oflT,  and  in  the  first  reaction  of 
perfect  liberty  the  whole  population  rushed  into 
tho  wildest  demonstrations  of  joy  and  gayetv. 
'i'hc  churches  were  all  marked  by  the  perpetual 
presence  of  the  emblems  of  Holy  Peace,  and 
Heavenly  Faith,  and  Immortal   Hope.      The 
sublime  Cathedral,  from  all  its  marble  population 
of  sculptured  saints  and  from  all  its  thousands  of 
Jiinnacles,  sent  up  one  rnnsfA.nt  sons.     ThTo::^h 
ilie  streets  marched  soldiers— regular,  irreguLir, 
horse,  foot,  and  dragoons  ;  cannon  thundered  at 
intervals  through  every  day ;  volunteer  militia 
companies  sprang  up  like  butterflies   to   flash 
their  gay  uniforms  in  tho  tun. 


IM 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OH,  ITALY  IN  MDC'CCLIX. 


It  nru  not  the  icaion  for  theatres.  La  ScaJa 
hail  (ipcnej  fur  a  few  niRhts  when  Napoleon 
anJ  Victor  Emaoael  where  hare,  but  hail  cloicd 
aKain.  Not  lo  the  imalier  theatre*.  Leis  dig- 
nilied.  they  could  burnt  forth  nnrpitrainml,  K»- 
(weially  the  Day  Thoatrei,  placet  formoU  *ome- 
what  on  the  ancient  model,  wiih  ojicn  roofi. 
In  these  the  tpectaton  can  imokc.  Here  *ho 
pcrfunnanco  begins  at  flvo  or  lix  and  endi  at 
dark.  All  the  theatre*  on  thi*  tcaion,  day  or 
night  alike,  bunt  forth  into  juy.  The  war  was 
the  unirer*al  *ubject.  Cannon,  fighting,  ic. 
dier*,  gunpowder,  saltpetre,  lulphur,  fury,  ex  - 
plosion*,  wounds,  bombardments,  grenadiers,  ar- 
tillery, dmm,  gun,  trumpet,  blunderbuss,  and 
thunder!  Just  at  that  time  the  piece  which 
was  having  the  greatest  run  was  The  Victokv 

of  SOLFKBINO  1 

Two  theatres  exhibited  this  piece  with  all 
the  pomp  and  circumstance  of  glorious  war. 
Another  put  ont  in  a  pontumimo  "  The  Battle 
of  Maleguano!" 

Another,  "  The  Fight  at  Magenta ! "  But  per- 
haps the  most  popular  of  nil  was  "GiHinALDi 

W  VaHUE,  Oil  I  C.VCCIATOm  DEUH  Ali'i  !" 


CHAPTER  LIV. 

DICK  WTETS  AN  OLD  FRIENT).  —THE  EMOTIONAL 
AT'-.iFOF  THH  ITALIAN.— TUEaE>ATOU  OVEIi-  i 
'   .liRANDULlIi^tOLNUEIJ. 

The  day  of  their  arrival  at  Mil.in  was  dis- 
tinguished by  a  pleasing  circnnistancc.  Buttons 
found  the  Spaniards,  and  was  happy.  And  by 
another  circumstance,  scarcely  less  pleasing, 
Dick  found  an  old  acquaintance. 

On  this  wise: 

Finding  himself  in  Milan  he  suddenly  cnlled 
to  mind  an  old  friend  with  whom  bo  had  been 
intimate  in  Boston.     Ho  had  been  exiled  from 
Italy  on  account  of  his  connection  with   the 
movements  of  lSi9.     He  had  fled  to  America, 
and  had  taken  with  tiim  barely  enough  to  live 
on.     For  five  years  ho  had  lived  in  Boston  un- 
der the  plain  name  of  Iluifh  Airey.     Then  Dick 
met  with  him,  and  had  been  attracted  by  the 
polished   manners,  melancholy  air,   ond   high 
spirit  of  the  unfortunate  exile.     In  the  course 
of  time  their  tvcquaintancc  ripened  into  intimate 
friendship.     Dick   introduced   him   to  all   his 
friends,  and  did  all  in  his  power  to  make  his  I 
life  pleasant.     From  him  he  had  learned  Ital- 
ian, and  under  his  guidance  formed  a  wide  and 
deep  acquaintance  with  Italian  literature.     In  ] 
IB.W  Mr.  Airey  decided  to  return  to  Italy  nnd 
live  in  Turin  till  the  return  of  better  days.     Be-  ' 
fore  leaving  he  confiJod  lo  Dick  the  "fact  that ' 
he  belonged  to  one  of  the  oldest  families  in  ' 
Lombardy,  and  that  he  was  the  Count  Ugo  di 
Gonfaloniere.      The  exile  bade  Dick  and   all  | 
Ills  friends  cood-bve  and  i!GT>!irtf*d       Sinfo  thp"  ! 
Dick  had  heard  from  him  but  once.     The  Count 
was  happy,  and  hopeful  of  a  sjiecdy  return  of 
better  days  for  his  country.     His  lioi'cs  had 
been  realized,  as  the  world  knows. 


Tu«  cocsT  uoa 


Dick  had  no  difficulty  in  finding  out  where 
hf  lived,  and  went  to  call  rn  him.  If  was  a 
magniticent  palace.  Thr-rrrs  of  FC"v&nt»  ^  _.-- 
around  the  entrance.  Dick  sent  up  liis  name, 
and  was  .;onducted  by  a  ser\-ant  to  an  ante- 
chamber. Scarcely  had  ho  finished  a  hasty 
survey  of  the  apartment  when  hurried  footsteps 
were  heard.  Ho  turned.  The  Count  came 
rushing  into  the  room,  flushed  and  trembling, 
and  without  a  word  threw  himself  iuto  Dick's 
arms,  embraced  him,  and  kissed  him.  It  was  a 
trying  moment  for  Dick.  Nothing  is  so  fright- 
ful to  a  man  of  the  Anglo-Saxon  race  as  to  be 
hugged  and  kissed  by  a  man.  However,  Dick 
felt  deeply  touched  at  the  emotion  of  his  friend 
and  his  grateful  remembrance  of  himself. 

"  This  is  a  circumstance  most  unexpected  I" 
cried  the  Count.  "  Why  did  you  not  write  and 
tell  me  that  you  were  coming,  my  deorest  friend? 
I  did  not  know  that  you  were  in  Italy.  But 
perhaps  yon  wished  to  give  me  a  surprise?" 
And  then  the  Count  asked  after  all  the  friends 
in  America,  for  whom  he  still  evinced  the  ten- 
derest  attachment. 

On  being  questioned  he  related  his  own  sub- 
sequent adventures.  After  leaving  America  he 
went  at  once  to  Turin.  Though  proscribed  in 
Lombardy  he  was  free  in  I'iedmont.  He  man- 
aged to  communicate  secretly  with  his  relatives 
in  Milan,  and  lived  comfortably.  At  length  he 
became  aware  of  the  great  movement  on  foot 


^A^A  :„  «i.. 


T*..l: 


himself  altogether  in  the  good  cause,  and,  with- 
out being  at  nil  disheartened  by  his  former  mis- 
fortunes, be  embarked  energetically  in  the  cur- 
rent of  CMii!s.      He  was  at  once  recognized  by 


TOE  DODQE  CLUB  j  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLUt  ,.9 

Oa  the  ..cupa.ion  of  Mil.n  by  .ho  Allie.  ho  '  ^le  '"'  ''"""  '  "'^  *""  '^  '  '''' 
«f  exilo  had  «ivc„  him  .'h.Khcr  capVci  rfor  en  ^^tuLlt  Z  u  ""  '"*  ""T"'  ^"''■ 
en.l„rc  than  Brief  ;heTu„rnwt7.11  So  d  '   h!t  T   7.  '^'r"^''^^''  ."'  "''""•'«  '^'^•''"-° 

«eein.  hi^^ad  on.,  been  ex^ilied  o„co  ^^  \  ^Z^'::,^:"^::^^:::':!^^  "^^ ^  •.!: 


lifo— that  one  time  haTing  been  on  the  occasion 
of  tlio  entrance  of  the  Allies  into  Milan. 

And  now  that  ho  was  here,  where  was  his 
lii?gago?  Did  he  come  without  it?  There 
was  certainly  only  one  place  in  the  citv  where 


plains  of  Lomlmrdy,  Rreen,  Klorious,  KoMcn  with 
the  nchest  and  most  inexhaustible  fcriility: 
vast  oceans  of  graiii  and  rice,  with  islaiiua  ol" 
dark-green  trees  that  liore  untold  wealth  of  all 
manner  of  fruit ;    whito  villas,  little  hamlets 


company  with  friends,  and  would  hardly  like  to 
leave  them.  The  Count  looked  reproachfully 
nt  bim.  Did  he  hesitate  about  that?  Why, 
his  friends  also  must  come.  Ho  would  have  no 
refusal.  They  all  must  come.  They  would  bo 
ns  welcome  as  himself.  He  would  go  with  Dick 
to  his  hotel  in  person  and  bring  his  friends  there. 
In  a  short  time  the  Count  and  Dick  had 


plain  spread  away  for  many  a  league,  till  the 
purple  mountains  aroso  as  a  barrier,  rising  np 
till  they  touched  the  everiasting  ice.  He  looked 
to  the  east  and  south.  There  the  plnins  stretch- 
ed away  to  the  horizon  in  illimitable-  extent. 

"  What  a  conntry !  All  cleared  too  I  Ev- 
ery acre !  And  the  Tillages !  Why,  there  are 
thousands  if  there  is  one  I     Dear !  dear!  dear  ' 


to  our  pnperl' 


CHAPTER  LV. 

IN  WniCn  DfTTONS  WHITES  A  LETTBR  •  AND  IX 
WHICH  THE  CUB  LOSES  A\  IMPOKTANT  MEM- 
BER.—SMALL  lir   DEOKEES   A.ND    BEAUTIFULLT 

Bit  all  things,  however  pleasant,  must  have 
an  end,  so  their  stay  in  Milan  soon  approached 


Palazzo  Gonfaloniere. 

Buttons's  acquaintance  with  the  language, 
literature,  manners,  and  customs  of  Italy  made 
him  appreciate  his  advantages;  the  friendslip 
of  the  Count  prevented  Dick  from  feeling  oth- 
crwise  than  perfectly  at  home;  and  as  for  the 
Senator,  if  it  had  been  possible  for  him  to  feel 
otherwise,  his  experience  of  hi^;li  life  at  Flor- 
ence would  have  enabled  him  to  bear  himself 
serenely  here.  His  complete  self-possession,  an  ena,  so  the. 
h.s  unaitenng  gaze,  his  calm  countenance,  wer^  its  termination 
never  for  a  moment  distiir!,od.  t>.  ..  .u    c 

The  Count  had  been  !.,„«  enounh  in  Amer-    in-T  o  Wv^     n  ^^""'■^"■"''bo'h  quite  will- 
io,i  to  appreciate  a  man  of  the  Trnmn  r f  1    '  I  "^  '°,''^'^^o-     ^''e  departure  of  the  Spaniards 

Senator;'he  therefore  f'omtlc  veriest  treat'  lu.^  7"''^'  '^™  °'''''''"-  '^'''y  "^'^ 
ed  bim  with  marked  rcsinjcL     hirh  JJIk     T.'  i  ^  "'"''""'^  '^  ^I"*'"'  «°''  *»'"1  ^^sed  Bur- 

ened   when   iTck   to  ^h  1^  ;' le   Ln^^^^^^^^  I' -^ 

achievements  during  the  i.aTt  few  w'ei «  !r°L' :  !?™  "l""""'  ^^^"^10  to  decline,  but  he  did  so 
tiruiiant  society  which  surrounded  the  p„„„, !  .,■•—•••"' -""7'^""";'° '"""*'"'' """I"""'""*'^' 
was  quite  different  from  tlTwhich  tl  e  Sen- tn!  !  '°     '"  ^"'"^  '°  ^'''"'-     ^^  '^'^  ^'"  "" 

had    found    in   Florence       The  VpL!  i  ?f  °"'""K  reparation,  and  all  that.     At  his  room 

o,„alIy  cul.i'ted  ~re  ser    us'    K  evZ  '  "^''^n  ^^'''7?'  "r^-'''^'''  \'^  ^"-1- 
hs^cxcitabilitv,  but  more  deep  feeling     \Tilan   '  in.1  '^f       ""^  ''«B'""'"P.   ^'»iJ  he,  direct- 

u  L  utLp  iceiing.     jiUan,    mg  l,is  remarks  more  pi.rticnlarly  to  U.e  Sen.".tor. 


130 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


"My  father  is  a  rich  mnn,  though  yon  may 
not  think  I  live  very  much  like  a  rich  man's 
Bon.  The  fact  is,  he  is  dreudfuUy  afrnid  that  I 
^vill  turn  out  a  spendthrift.  So  he  Rave  mc  only 
a  moderate  sum  on  v^hich  to  travel  on  through 
Europe.  So  far  I  have  succeeded  very  well. 
Excuse  my  Ijlushcs  while  I  make  the  sweet  con- 
fession. The  Seiiorita  whom  we  all  admire  will, 
pome  of  these  days,  I  trust,  exchange  the  music- 
al name  of  Francia  for  the  plainer  one  of  But- 
tons." 

The  Senator  smiled  with  mild  and  paternal 
approbation,  and  shook  Buttons  by  the  hand. 

"It's  all  arranged, '"Vontinued  Buttons,  with 
sv.eet  confusion.  "Now,  under  the  circum- 
stances, you  might  think  it  natural  that  I  should 
(.'(J  back  with  them  to  Spain." 

"  I  should  certainly.     Why  don't  you  ?'' 

"  For  two  reasons.  The  first  is,  I  have  bare- 
ly enough  tin  left  to  take  me  to  Paris." 

At  once  both  the  Senator  and  Dick  offered 
tu  make  unlimited  advances.  Buttons  made  a 
deprecatory  gesture. 

"I  know  well  that  I  conld  look  to  you  for 
niiy  help  in  any  way.  But  that  is  not  the  rea- 
>'in  wliy  I  don't  go  to  Spain.  I  have  money 
niou}.'h  for  my  wants  if  I  don't  go  there." 

"  What  is  the  real  reason,  then  ?' 

"Well,  I  thought  that  in  an  affair  of  this 
l^ind  it  would  be  just  as  well  to  get  the  Gor- 
cinor's  concurrence,  and  so  I  thought  I'd  drop  a 
line  to  him.  I've  just  got  the  letter  written, 
and  I'll  put  it  in  the  mail  this  evening." 

"You  have  done  right,  my  boy,"  said  the 
Senator,  paternally.  "There  are  many  excel- 
lent r  isons  for  getting  your  father's  consent  in 
an  atfair  like  this." 

"  I  don't  mind  reading  you  what  I  have  writ- 
ton,"  said  Buttons,  "if  you  care  about  hearing 
ii." 

"  Oh,  if  you  have  no  objection,  we  should  like 
to  hear  very  much,"  said  Dick. 

_  Whereupon  Buttons,  taking  a  letter  from  his 
I  oekct,  read  as  follows : 

'*  Dear  Father, — I  have  eiK^avored  to  follow  out  your 
iv'tnictioli!*  nmi  l)e  as  ficononiicjil  ««  iMVMsihU', 

'*  Durin;!  my  tour  tliroiifzh  Italy  1  liavo  made  the  ac- 

:;untMnrf  of  the  wni-T  member  uf  the  house  of  Franria, 
i  1  Cadiz,  a  K'^ntleinan  with  whom  you  are  aequainted. 
^\^'  was  travelling  with  hia  two  sisters.  TIio  younf;er  one 
i-  very  amiable.  As  I  know  you  would  like  to  see  nie  set- 
tii-'d  I  have  requested  her  hand  in  marriape. 

"  A-'  I  ui^h  to  Im.'  married  I)€fore  my  ri'turu  I  th^uRht 
!  n-oiild  b't  you  know.  Of  course  in  allyinp  myself  to  a 
member  of  so  wealthy  a  family  I  will  need  to  do  it  in  good 
style.  Whatever  you  can  aind  me  will  therefore  be  quite 
nfreptabie. 

''  Please  reply  Immediately  on  receipt  of  this,  nddress- 
i:;g  me  at  Taris  as  before. 

"  .\ud  very  much  olilige  I^  IlrTTONS." 

"  Well."  said  the  Senator,  "that's  a  sensible 
letter.  It's  to  the  point.  I'm  glad  to  see  that 
you  arc  not  so  *"  jli  '.  as  most  lads  in  your  sit- 
uation. Why  should  not  a  man  talk  ns  wisely 
iibout  a  p.artnership  of  thi.s  kind  as  of  any  other? 
I  do  declare  that  these  rh.n|isodics.  this  high- 
lilnwiv  Iiii^li-fliuvPi  ^cntiiTioiital  t>v:\ddlo  Is  nau- 
seating." 

"You  sec,  Dick,"  said  Buttons,  "Imustwrite 
a  letter  which  will  have  weight  with  the  old 


gentleman.  lie  likes  the  terse  business  style. 
I  think  that  little  liint  about  her  fortune  is  well 
managed  too.  That's  a  great  deal  belter  than 
boring  him  with  the  state  of  my  affections.  Isn't 
it?" 

"  There's  nothing  like  adapting  your  style  to 
the  disposition  of  the  pcrpon  you  add"ess,"  said 
Dick. 

"  Well,  said  the  Senator,  "  you  propose  to 
start  to-morrow,  do  you  ?" 

"Yes, "said  Buttons. 

"I'm  agreed  then.  I  was  just  beginning  tn 
get  used  up  myself  I'm  an  active  man,  and 
when  I've  squeezed  all  thejuice  out  ofajilace  I 
want  to  throw  it  away  and  go  to  another.  What 
do  you  say,  Dick  ?     Y'ou  are  silent." 

"  W"!!,  to  tell  the  truth,"  said  Dick,  "  I  don't 
care  about  leaving  just  yet.  Gonfaloniere  ex- 
pects me  to  stay  longer,  and  he  would  feel  hurt 
if  I  hurried  off.  I  am  very  soiry  that  you  are 
both  goii/j'.  It  would  be  cajiital  if  you  could 
only  ^vait  he-'e  a  month  or  so." 

"A  month!"  cried  Buttons.  "Iconldn't 
stand  it  another  day.  Will  nothing  induee  you 
to  come  ?    What  can  we  do  without  you?" 

"What  caii  I  do  without  you?"  said  Di;k, 
with  some  emotion. 

"  Well,  Dick,"  said  the  Senator,  "I'm  really 
pained.  I  feel  something  like  a  sense  of  be- 
reavement at  tlie  very  idea.  I  thought,  of 
course,  we  would  keep  together  till  our  feet 
touched  the  sacred  soil  once  more.  But  Heav- 
en seems  to  have  ordained  it  othenvise.  I  felt 
bad  when  Figgs  and  the  Doctor  left  us  at  Flor- 
ence, but  now  I  feel  worse  by  a  long  chalk. 
Can't  you  manage  to  come  along  nohow?" 

"No,"  said  Dick.  "I  really  can  not.  I 
rcnllv  must  stay." 

"What!  miJst!" 

"Yes,  must!" 

The  Senator  sighed. 


CIIAPTEU  LVI. 

THE  FATTHFIL  ONE  !  —  IIAKTS,  DIPTHArTION, 
love's  vows  OVEHPOWEHINO  StENE  AT  Till. 
MERTINO  OF  ,  WO  FOM)  ONES?.  —  COMPLET 
1!UEAK-D0WN  OP  THE  IIISTOKIAN. 

AiiovT  a  month  after  the  departure  of  ;rie 
Senator  and  Buttons  from  Jlilan,  Dick  rc-ap- 
pearL'd  upon  the  scene  at  Konie,  in  front  of  the 
little  church  which  had  borne  so  prominent  a 
part  in  his  fortunes;  true  to  his  love,  to  li^s 
liopcs,  to  his  promises,  with  undiminished  ardor 
and  unabated  resolution.  He  found  the  I'adie 
Liguori  there,  who  at  once  took  him  to  his  room 
in  a  building  adjoining  the  cluircli. 

"Welcome  1"  said  lie,  in  a  tone  of  th.o  deep- 
est pleasure.  "Welcome!  It  has  been  more 
than  R  jinssing  fancy,  then." 

"  It  is  the  only  real  purpose  of  my  life,  I  as- 
sure ynii," 

"  I  must  believe  you,''  said  Lipuori,  pressing 
his  hand  once  more. 

"  And  now,  nhere  is  Tepita  ?" 


I 

Ii 


THE  DODGE  CLUB;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


"She  is  in  Rome." 

"  May  I  see  her  at  once  ?" 

"  How  at  once  ?" 

"Well,  to-Uay." 

"  No,  not  to-day.  Her  brother  wishes  to  see 
you  first.  I  must  go  and  let  them  both  know 
that  you  are  here.  But  she  is  well  and  has 
been  so." 

Dick  looked  relieved.  After  some  conversn- 
tion  Liguori  told  Dick  to  return  in  an  hour,  and 
ho  could  see  the  Count.  After  waiting  most 
impatiently  Dick  came  back  a^'ain  in  an  hour. 
On  entering  be  found  Luigi.,  He  was  dress- 
ed as  a  gentleman  this  time.  He  was  a 
strongly  knit,  well-made  man  of  about  thirtv, 
with  strikingly  handsome  and  aristocratic  feat- 
ures. 

"  Let  mo  make  my  peace  with  vou  at  once," 
said  he,  with  the  utmost  courtesy.  "You  are 
a  bravo  man,  and  must  bo  generous.  I  have 
done  you  wrongs  for  which  I  siiall  never  forgive 
myself;"  and  taking  Dick's  outstretched  hand, 
ho  pressed  it  heartily. 

"  Say  notliing  about  it,  I  beg,"  said  Dick  ; 
"you  were  justified  in  what  you  did,  though 
you  may  have  been  a  little  hasty." 

"  Had  I  not  been  blinded  by  passion  I  would 
have  been  incapable  of  such  a  piece  of  coward- 
ice. But  I  have  had  mucli  to  endure,  and  I 
was  always  afraid  about  her." 

With  the  utmost  frankness  the  two  men  re- 
ceived each  other's  explanations,  and  the  great- 
est cordiality  arose  at  once.  Dick  insisted  on 
Luii.'i'3  taking  dinner  with  him,  and  Luigi, 
laugliingly  declaring  that  it  would  be  a  sign  of 
peace  to  eat  bread  and  salt  together,  went  with 
Dick  to  his  hotel. 

As  they  entered  Dick's  apartments  Gonfa- 
loniero  was  lounging  near  the  window.  He  had 
accompanied  Dick  to  Rome.  He  started  at  the 
sight  of  Luijii. 

"God  in  Heaven  I"  he  cried,  bounding  to  his 
foot. 

"  Ugo  !"  exclaimed  tlie  other. 

"Lui-i:" 

And  tlie  two  men,  in  true  Italian  fashion, 
sprang  into  one  another's  arms. 

"And  is  my  best  fiiend,  and  oldest  friend, 
the  brother  of  your  betrothed  ?"  asked  Gonfa- 
loniere  of  Dick. 

But  Dick  only  nodded.  He  was  quite  mys- 
tified by  all  tliis.  An  explanation,  however, 
was  soon  made.  The  two  had  been  educated 
together,  and  had  fought  side  bv  side  in  the 
great  movements  of  '-IS,  under  Garibaldi,  and 
in  Lomhardy. 

For  full  an  hour  these  two  friends  asked  one 
another  a  torrent  of  questions.  Luigi  nsked 
Gmifaloniere  about  his  exile  in  Ameriea ;  where- 
upon the  other  described  that  exile  in  glowing 
terms— how  he  landed  in  Boston,  how  Dick, 
then  little  more  than  a  lad,  became  acquainted 
witli  him,  and  how  trne  n  friend  he  ha^!  hoor.  in 
his  misery.  The  animated  words  of  Gonfalon- 
iere  prn.liucd  n  striking  effect.  Lui;;i  swore 
eternal    iViondsliip  witli  Dick,  and  (inallv   dc- 


131 

clared  that  ho  must  come  and  see  Fepita  that 
very  day. 

So,  leaving  Gonfaloniero  with  the  promise  of 
seeing  him  again,  Luigi  walked  with  Dick  out 
to  the  place  where  he  lived.  The  reason  why 
he  had  not  wanted  him  to  sec  Pcpita  that  day 
was  because  he  was  ashamed  of  their  lodgings. 
"But  that  had  passed,  and  as  he  understood  Dick 
better  he  saw  there  was  no  reason  for  such 
shame.  It  was  a  house  within  a  few  rods  of 
the  church. 

Dick's  heart  throbbed  violently  as  he  entered 
the  door  after  Luigi  and  ascended  the  steps  in- 
side  the  court-yard.  Luigi  pointed  to  a  door 
and  diOv  li.u-k. 


Dick  knocked. 
The  door  opened. 
"Pepita!" 

To  describe  such  a  meeting  is  simply  out  of 
the  question. 


"I  knew  you  would  come,"  said  she,  after 
about  one  solid  hour,  in  which  not  a  single  iu- 
telligiblo  word  was  uttered. 

"And  for  you !     Oh,  I'cpita  !" 

"You  do  not  think  now  that  I  was  cruel?" 
and  a  warm  Hush  overspread  the  lovely  face  of 
the  young  girl. 

"Cruel!"  (and  Dick  makes  her  see  that  ho 

"I  could  not  do  otherwise." 

"  I  love  you  too  well  to  doubt  it." 

".My  brotlicr  hated  you  so.     It  would  have 


v.- 


THE  DODGE  CLUB ;  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


liecn  impossible.  And  I  could  not  wound  his 
feelings.'' 

"  He's  a  splendid  fellow,  and  you  were  right." 

"  Pudro  Lig'iori  showed  him  what  you  were, 
and  I  tried  to  explain  a  little,"  added  Pepita, 
bliyly. 

"  Heaven  bless  Padre  Liguori !  As  for  you 
— yon — " 

"Don't." 

"  Well,  your  brother  underst.nnds  me  at  last. 
He  knows  that  I  love  you  so  well  that  I  would 
die  for  you.'' 

Tears  c.imc  into  Pepita's  eyes  as  tlic  sudden 
recollection  arose  of  Dick's  misadventure  on  the 
road. 

"Do  you  remember,"  asked  Dick,  softly,  aft- 
er about  three  hours  and  twenty  minutes — "  do 
you  remember  how  I  once  wished  that  I  was 
\.alking  with  you  on  a  road  that  would  go  on 
forever?" 

"Yes." 

"  ^yell,  we're  on  that  track  now." 

[The  l!i?toriftn  of  tliepe  adventurer  feela  most  keenly 
\'.a  utter  inaciequacy  to  tlie  icqiiireniL'nts  of  tliis  eceni'. 
Need  he  pny  ttiut  the  above  deacriptloa  is  a  complete 
f.taco  t    llmiier,  your  imagioatijn,  if  you  please.] 


CHAPTER  LVII. 

'.HE  DODGE  CLUB  IN  PAKIS  ONCE  MORE.— BUT- 
TONS'S  "JOLLY  GOOD  HEALTH." 

Not  very  long  after  the  events  alluded  to  in 
I  lie  l.Tst  chapter  a  brilliant  dinner  was  given  in 


Paris  at  the  "  Hotel  do  Lille  ct  d'AIbion."  On 
the  arri\  of  the  isenator  and  Buttons  at  Parts 
they  had  iind  Mr.  Figgsand  the  Doctor  with- 
out any  trouble.  The  meeting  was  a  rapturous 
one.  The  Dodge  Club  was  again  an  entity, 
although  an  important  member  was  not  there. 
On  this  occasion  the  ouo  who  gave  the  dinner 
was  Buttons  ! 

All  the  delicacies  of  the  season.  In  fact,  a 
banquet.  Mr.  Figgs  shone  rcsplendenlly.  If 
a  factory  was  the  sphere  of  the  Senator,  a  supper- 
table  was  the  place  for  Mr.  Figps.  The  others 
felt  that  they  had_  never  before  known  fully  all 
the  depth  of  feeling,  of  fancy,  and  of  sentiment 
that  lurked  under  that  placid,  smooth,  and  rosy 
exterior.  The  Doctor  was  eiiigrammatie ;  the 
Senator  sententious  ;  Buttons  uproarious. 

Dick's  health  was  drunk  in  bumpers  with  all 
the  honors  : 

"  For  he's  a  Jolly  goud  fe-e-e-ce-e-Uow ! 
Fit  he's  a  jolly  good  fe-e-e-t-f-e-Uow  ! ! 
For  he'a  a  jolly  good  rK-EE-K-K-E-LLOW ! ! 
Which  uobody  caa  deny  I** 

AH  this  time  Buttons  was  more  joyous,  more 
radiant,  and  altogether  more  extravagant  tlmn 
usual.  The  others  asked  themselves,  "Why  ?  ' 
In  the  course  of  the  evening  it  became  known. 
Taking  advantage  of  a  short  pause  in  the  con- 
versation he  communicated  the  startling  fact 
that  ho  had  that  day  received  a  letter  from  his 
father. 

'Shall  I  read  it?" 

"  Aye:  ;  !"  unanimously,  in  tones  of  thun- 
der. 


"uk'b  a  jollt  good  rr.LLo»  ! 


THE  DODGE  CLUB  j  OR,  ITALY  IN  MDCCCLIX. 


Buttons  opened  it  and  read  : 

"  Deab  Sou,— Your  eateemed  favor,  15th  alt,  I  have 
res'". 

"  I  beg  leave  hereby  to  expre«s  my  concnrrenco  with 
your  design. 

"  My  co'.oectloa  with  the  houie  of  Fmncia  ha«  been  of 
the  mo«t  sntUfactory  kind.  I  have  no  doubt  that  yours 
will  be  e<iuaUy  no, 

"  I  inclose  you  draft  on  Me«».  Diipont  Oeraiid,  et  Cie  of 
Paris,  for  $5000— «,iy  fl7e  thousand  doll»r»— rec'  of  which 
please  acknowledge.  If  this  sum  Is  inBufflcient  you  are  a 
liberty  to  draw  for  what  may  be  required. 

"  I  remain,  IIibam  BrrroNS." 

Thunders  of  applause  arose  as  Buttons  folded 
the  letter. 


183 

A  speech  from  the  Senator  proposed  the 
hea'th  of  Buttons  Senior. 

Another  from  the  Doctor. 

Another  from  Mr.  Figgs. 

Acknowledgment  by  Buttons. 

Announcement  by  Buttons  of  immediate  de- 
parture for  Cadiz. 

Wild  cheers.     Buttons's  jolly  good  health  ! 

"  For  he's  a  jolly  good  fe-e.e-e-e-e-Ilow  I 
For  he's  a  Jolly  good  /e-e-e-e-t-e-Uow .' ! 
Fop  he's  a  jolly  good  ra-E-K-i-K-E-LLOx  1 1 1 
Which  nobody  can  deny:" 


TCE     EXD, 


] 


NotcIh  are  sweets.  All  people  with  healthy  llterar;  appetitci  love  them— almoat  all  women ;  a  vast  nnmbA 
of  clever,  hard-headed  men.  Jadges,  blBhopa,  chancellor*,  mathematiciaos,  are  notoriooa  novel  readen,  m 
veil  01  foang  boy  a  and  sweet  elrls,  and  their  kind,  tender  mothers.— W.  M.  TuAOt^iaAT,  In  HowtdaboxU  faptn. 


Hi^nPER'S    LIBRARY 


OF 


SELECT   ISrOVELS. 

Harper's  Select  Library  of  Fiction  rarely  inclades  a  work  which  has  not  a  decided  charm,  either  from  the 
cloarseBS  of  the  story,  the  signiflcance  of  the  theme,  or  the  charm  of  the  cxccation ;  so  that  on  setting  out 
npon  a  journey,  or  providing  for  the  recreation  of  a  solitary  evening,  one  U  wise  and  safe  in  procuring  Um 
later  numbers  of  this  attractive  series.— £<xtan  Tran$eript. 


3. 
4. 
6. 
6- 

7, 
8, 
9. 

10. 

II. 

12. 

13. 

14. 

15. 

10. 
17. 
18. 
19. 
20. 
21. 
22. 

23. 
21. 
25. 

26. 

27. 

28. 

29. 

80. 

81. 

32. 

S3. 

34. 

35. 

86. 

87. 

88. 

39. 

40. 

41. 

42. 

43. 

44. 

4.V 

46. 

47. 

in 

49. 

BO. 

r>i. 

52. 


rsiox 

Pelham.    By  Bulwer $  75 

The  Disowned.    By  Bulwer 75 

Devereux.    By  Bulwer ."iO 

Paul  Clifford.     By  Buhver 50 

Euger.e  Aram.     By  Bulwer 50 

The  Last  Days  of  Pomjeii.    By  Bulwer  50 

The  Czarina.     By  Mrs.  Hofland 50 

Kien/.i.     By  Bulwer 75 

Self-Devotion.     By  Miss  Campbell 50 

The  Nabob  at  Home 50 

Ernest  Maltravers.     By  Bulwer 50 

Alice ;  or,  The  Mysteries.    By  Bulwer  50 
The  Last  of  the  Barons.     By  Bulwer..  I  00 

Forest  Days.    By  James 50 

Adam  Brown,  the  Merchant.    By  II. 

Smith 50 

Pilgrims  of  the  Rhine.     By  Bulwer....  25 

The  Iloine.    By  Miss  Bremer 50 

The  Lost  Ship.     By  Captain  Neale 75 

The  False  Heir.    ByJafnes 50 

The  Neighbors.     By  Miss  Bromer .50 

Nina.     By  Miss  Bremer 50 

The  President's  Daughters.    By  Miss 

Bremer 25 

The  Banker's  Wife.     By  Mrs.  Gore...,  50 

The  Birthright.    By  Mrs.  Gore 25 

New  Sketches  of  Every-day  Life.    By 

Miss  Bremer 50 

Arabella  Stuart.     ByJames 50 

The  Grumbler.    By  Miss  Pickering. ...  50 

Tlie  Unloved  One.     By  Mrs.  Hofland.  50 

Jack  of  the  Mill.    By  William  Howitt.  25 

The  Heretic.     By  Lajetchnikoff. 50 

The  Jew.    By  Spindler 75 

Arthur.    BySue 7;') 

Chatsworth.    By  Ward ,50 

The  I'rairie  Bird.     By  C.  A.  Murray.  1  00 

AmyHerb.rt.     ByMissSewell 50 

Bose  d'Albret.     ByJames 50 

The  Triumphs  of  Time.  By  Mrs.  Marsh  75 

The  H Family.     By  Miss  Bremer  50 

The  Grandfather.     By  Miss  Pickering.  50 

Arrah  Neil.     ByJames 50 

The  Jilt 50 

Tales  from  the  German 50 

Arthur  Arundel.     By  H.  Smith 50 

Agincourt.     ByJames 60 

The  Kegent's  Daughter 60 

The  Maid  of  Honor. 50 

Safin.     By  De  Beauvoir 60 

Look  to  the  Knd.     Bv  Mrs.  KUi?. t:0 

The  Improvisatore.    By  Andersen 60 

The  (inrabler's  Wife.    "jJy  Mrs.  Grey..  50 

Veronica.     By  ZschokVs.' .'...  50 

Zue.     By  Miss  Jewsbury 50 


53.  Wyoming $  50 

64.  De  liohan.    By  Sue '. 60 

5.5.  Self.    By  the  Author  of  "Cecil" 73 

56.  The  Smuggler.     ByJames 75 

67.  The  Breach  of  Promise 60 

58.  Parsonage  of  Mora.    By  Miss  Bremer  26 

59.  A  Chance  Medley.    By  1.  C.  Grattan  60 

60.  The  White  Slave 1  00 

01.  The  Bosom  Friend.     By  Mrs.  Grey..  60 

02.  Amaury.     ByDumas 60 

03.  The  Author's  Daughter.     By  Mary 

Howitt 25 

04.  Only  a  Fiddler!  &c.     By  Andersen....  60 

05.  The  Whiteboy.     By  Mrs.  Hall 60 

60.  The  Foster-Brother.   Edited  by  Leigh 

Hunt 60 

07.  Love  and  Mesmerism.     By  H.  Smith.  75 

68.  Aacanio.     ByDumas 75 

09.  Lady   of    Milan.       Edited    by  Mrs. 

Thomson 73 

70.  The  Citizen  of  Prague ..1  00 

71.  The  Roy.'-l  Favorite.     By  Mrs.  Gore.  50 

72.  The  Queen  of  Denmark.  By  :Mrs.  Gore  50 

73.  The  Elves,  &c.    ByTieck rA) 

74, '^5.  The  Step-Mother.     ByJames 1  25 

70.  Je.isie's  Flirtations 50 

77.  Cheval-e.  d'Herm«ntal.     By  Dumas.  50 

7?.   I'eers  and  Parvenus.     By  Mrs.  Gore.  50 

7!;.  The  Commander  of  Malta.    By  Sue..  60 

80.  The  Female  Minister 50 

81.  Emilia  Wyndham.     By  Mrs.  MarsL.  75 

82.  The  Bush-ltanger.     By  Charles  Row- 

croft 50 

83.  The  Chronicles  of  Clo  .ernook 25 

84.  Genevieve.     By  Laraartine 25 

85.  Livonian  Tales 25 

80.  Lettice  Arnold.     By  Ms.  ALirsh 25 

87.  Father  Darcy.     By  Jlrs.  Marsh 75 

8H.  Lcontine.     By  Mrs.  Mabevly 60 

89.  Heidelberg.     ByJames 60 

90.  Lucretia.     By  Bulwer 75 

91.  Beauchamp.     By  Jat.ies 75 

9",  94.  Fortescue.    ByKnowlcs \  00 

93.  Daniel  Dennison,&c.  By  Mrs.  Holland  50 

95.  Cinq-Mars.     ByDoVigny 60 

90.  Woman's  1  rials.     By  Mrs.  S.  ('.  Hall  75 

97.  The  Castle  of  Ehrens'lein.     By  James  50 

98.  Marriage.     By  Miss  S.  Forrie'r 50 

99.  Roland  Cashel.     By  Lever 1  25 

100.  Martins  of  Cro' Martin.     Bv  Lever...  1  25 

102.  A  Simple  Story.    By  Mrs.  Inchbald..  50 

10;!.  Norman's  Bridge.    By  Mrs.  M.trsh...  50 

104.  Alamance ^0 

105,  Margaret  Graham.     l!v  Jam«s 26 


Harpir's  Library  of  Seltct  Novels. 


106.  The  Wayside  Cross.  ByE.II.^Iilman.^  25 

107.  Tlio  Convict,     liy  James...* 60 

103.  Miflsummer  Ere.     Uv  Mrs.  S.  C.  Hall    SO 
lO'J.  Jane  Eyre.     By  Cunrer  Bell 7.5 

110.  The  Last  of  the  Fairies.     Byjnmes. .     25 

111.  Sir  Theodore  Broughton.     liy  James    50  i 

112.  Sflf-Control.     By  Mary  Brunton 75 

113.  lU.  Harold.     By  Bulwer 1  00 

115.  Brothers  and  Sisters.  By  Miss  Bremer    50 

116.  Gowrie.     By  James 50 

117.  A  Whim  and  its  Consequences,     liy 

J:;me3 60 

118.  Three  bisters  and  Three  Fortunes. 

ByG.  H.  Lewes 75 

119.  The  Discipline  of  Life 50 

120.  Thirty  Years  Since,     liy  James 75 

121.  Mary'Barton.     By  Mrs.' Gaskell 50 

122.  The  Great  Hoggarty  Diamond.     By 

Thackeray 25 

123.  The  Forgery.     By  James 60 

12«.  The  Midnight  Sun.    By  Miss  Bremer    25 
125,  12G.  The  Caxtons.     By  Bulwer 75 

127.  Mordaunt  Hall.     By  Mrs.  Marsh 50 

128.  My  Uncle  the  Curate 50 

12'J.  The  Woodman.     By  James 75 

l;W.  The  Green  Hanu.     A  "Short  Yam"     75 
181.  Sidonia  the  Sorceress.    By  Meinhold  1  00 

132.  Shirley.     By  Currer  BeU 1  00 

\^Z.  TheUgilvies 50 

13*.  Constance  Lyndsay.    ByG.  C.  II .50 

13.5.  Sir  Edward  Graham.  By  Miss  Sinclair.  1  00 

136.  Hands  nut  Hearts.  By  Miss  Wilkinson.     50 

137.  The  Wilmingtons.     Bv  Mrs.  Marsh..     50 

138.  Ked  Allen.    ByU.  Ha'nnny .W 

139.  Kight  and  Moniing.     By  Bulwer 75 

140.  The  Maid  of  Orleans 75 

141.  Antonina.    By  Wilkic  Collins 60 

142.  Znnoni.    By  Bulwer 50 

143.  Reginald  Hastings.     By  Wavburton..     50 

144.  Pride  and  Irresolution 50 

145.  The  Old  Oak  Chest.     By  James 50 

146.  Julia  Howard.    liy  Mrs.  Martin  Bell.     50 

147.  Adelaide  Lindsay.     Edited  by  Mrs. 

Marsh '. CO 

148.  Pctticout  Government.   By  Mrs.  Trol- 

lope 60 

149.  The  Luttrells.     By  F.Williams 50 

150.  Singleton  Fontenor,  R.  N.  Bv  Hannnv    50 

151.  Olive.  By  the  Author  of"  Thebgilvies"    50 

152.  Henry  S'meaton.     By  James 50 

153.  Time,  the  Avenger.     By  Mrs.  Marsh.     50 

154.  The  Commissioner.     Bv  James 1  00 

15.5.  The  Wife's  Sister.     By  Mrs.  Hubback    .50 

156.  The  Gold  Worshipers 50 

157.  The  Diiughter  of  Nighf.     By  Fullom.     60 
153.  Stuart  of  Dunleath.     Ly  Hon.  Caro- 
line Norton 50 

159.  Arthur  Conway.  ByCapt.E.H.Milman    50 

1 00.  The  Fate.     By  James 50 

161.  The  Lady  and  the  Priest.     By  Mrs.     , 

Maborly 60 

102.  Aims  and  Obstacles.     By  James .50 

163.  The  Tutor's  Ward 60 

104.  Florence  Sackville.    By  Mrs.  Burbury     75 

1G5.  Kavenscliffe.     By  Mrs.  Marsh 50 

166.  Maurice  Tiernay.     By  Lever 1  00 

107,  Tlift  Head  of  the  Family.     By  IMiss 

Mulock 75 

168.  Darien.     By  Warburton 50 

169.  Falkenburtr 75 

170.  TheDaltons.     By  Lover 1  50 


nuos 

171.  Ivor;  or,  The  Skjuts  -  Boy.     By  Miss 

Carlen %  60 

172.  Pequinillo.     By  James 60 

173.  /nna  Hammer.     ByTemme 60 

174.  A  Life  of  Vicissitudes.     By  James...  60 

175.  Hei.ry  Esmond.     Bv  Thackeray 50 

176,177.  My  Novel.     By  Bulwer.., 1  50 

178.  Katie  Stewart 25 

1 79.  Castle  Avon,     liy  Mrs.  Marsh 50 

180.  Agne   Sorel.     Py  James 60 

181.  Agatha's  Husband.    By  the  Author  of 

"OHve" 60 

182.  Villette.    By  Currer  Bell 75 

li!3.  Lover's  Stratagem.     By  Jliss  Carlen.  60 

184.  Clouded    Happiness.      V,'^  Countess 

D'Orsay 60 

185.  Charles  Auchester.    A  Memorial 75 

186.  Lf  dy  Lee's  Widowhood 60 

187.  Dodd  Family  Abroad.     By  Lever... .1  25 

188.  Sir  Jasper  Carew.     By  Lever 75 

189.  Quiet  Heart 25 

190.  Aubray.     By  Mrs.  Marsh 75 

191.  Ticonderoga.     By  James 60 

192.  Hard  Times.     liy  Dickens 50 

193.  The  Young  Husband.     liy  Mrs.  Grey  50 

194.  The  brother's  Becomiicnse."    By  Grace 

Aguilar t't 

19.'.  Avillion,  &c.     By  Mi<s  Mulock 1  25 

190.  North  and  South.  By  Mrs.  Gaskell.  50 
197.  Country  Neighborhood.    By  Miss  Du- 

puy 60 

108.  Constance  Herbert.  ByMissJewsbury.  CO 

199.  The  Heiress  of  Haugbton.     By  Mrs. 

Marsh 60 

200.  The  Old  Dominion.     By  James 60 

201.  John   Halii.t.      By  the  Author  of 

"OUve,"  &c 7.5 

202.  Evelyn  Marston.     By  Mrs.  Mai sh....  50 

203.  Fortunes  of  Glcncore.     By  Lever 60 

204.  Leonora  d'Orco.     By  James "/ 

205.  Nothing  New.     By  Miss  Mulock oO 

200.  TheKoseofAshurst.   By  Mrs.  Marsh  60 

207.  The  Athelings.     By  Mrs.  Oliphant....  75 

208.  Scenes  of  Clerical  Life 75 

209.  My  Lady  Ludlow.     By  Mrs.  Gaskell.  25 

210.  211.  Gerald  Fitzgerald.     By  Lever...  60 

212.  A  Life  for  a  Life.     By  Miss  Mulock..  60 

213.  Sword  and  Gown.    By  Geo.  Lawrence  25 

214.  Misrepresentation.  ByAnnalLDrnry.  1  00 

215.  The  Mill  on  the  Floss.  By  George  Eliot  75 

216.  One  of  Them.     liy  Lever 75 

217.  ADay's  liido.     By  Lever 50 

218.  Notice  to  Quit.     By  Wills 60 

219.  A  Strange  Story 1  00 

220.  Brown,  Jones,   and   Bobinson.      By 

TroUope 60 

221.  Abel  Drake's  Wife.  Bv  John  Saunders  75 

222.  Olive  niakc's  Good  Work.     By  J.  C. 

Jcatfreson 75 

223.  The  Professor's  Lady •. 25 

224.  Mistress  and  Maid.  By  Miss  Mulock  50 
2i'.">.  Aurora  Floyd.  By  M.  E.  Braddon..  75 
2211.  Barrington.     Bvl>ever 75 

227.  Sylvia's  Lovers."   By  Mrs.  Gaskell....  75 

228.  A  First  Friendship 50 

229.  ADarkNiglit'sWork.  ByMrs.Gaskell  TO 

230.  Countess  Gisela.     By  E.  Marhtt 25 

231.  St.  Olaves.     By  Eliza  Tabor 75 

232.  A  Point  of  Honor 50 

233.  Live  it  Down.     ByJeaft'rcson 1  00 

234.  Miirtin  Polo.     BySauuders CO 


Harper's  Library  of  Select  Novels. 


235. 
236. 
237. 
238. 

239. 

«40. 

242. 
343. 
244. 

24.5. 

24G. 
247. 
248. 
249. 
250. 

251. 
252. 
263. 
254. 

255. 
25(;. 
257. 
258. 
259. 
2G0. 

2C1. 
2(iL'. 

2C3. 
26  k 
J05. 
2(;(i. 
267. 
268. 
269. 

270. 

271. 
'I'i-l. 
^TA. 
274. 
:.'7."). 
276. 
277. 
278. 

279. 

2S0. 

281. 

28-'. 

284. 

285. 
2f^6. 

287. 

288. 
289. 
290. 
291. 


.  miOB 

M»ry  Ljndsay.     By  Lady  Fonionbjr.^  50 

Eleanor  s  Victory.   By  M.  E.  Braddon  75 

Rachel  Kay.     liy  Trollope 60 

John  Marchmont'g  Legacy.     By  M. 

K.  Braddon ." 75 

Annie    Warleigh's     Fortunes.      By 

Holme  Lee 75 

The  Wife's  Evidence.     By  Wills 60 

Barbara's  History.      By  Amelia  B. 

Edwards 75 

Cousin  Phillis 25 

What  Will  He  Do  With  It?  BvBulwer.l  60 
The  Ladder  of  Life.    By  iimelia  B. 

Edwards so 

Denis  Duval.     By  Thackeray 60 

Maurice  Dering.     By  Geo.  Lawrence  60 

Margaret  Denzil's  History 75 

Quite  Alone.  By  George  Augustus  Sola  75 

Mattia:  a  Strav 75 

My  Brother's  Wife.     By  Amelia  B. 

Edwards so 

Uncle  Silas.     By  J.  S.  Le  Fana 75 

Lovel  the  Widower.     By  Thackeray..  25 

Miss  Mackenzie.  By  Anthony  Trollope  60 

On  Guard.     By  Annie  Thomas 60 

Theo  Leigh.     By  Annie  Thomas 60 

Denis  Doone.     By  Annie  Thomas....  SO 

Belial 50 

Carry's  Confession 7,5 

MissCarew.    ByAmelia B.Edwards.  60 
Hiinjl  and  Glove.     By  Amelia  B.  Ed- 
wards   50 

GuyDeverell.  By  J.  S.  Le  Kami....  £0 
Half  a  Million  of  Money.     By  ^Viiiiilia 

B.  Edwards 75 

The  Belton  Estate.    By  A.  Trollope...  50 

Agnes.     By  Mrs.  Oliphant 

Walter  Goring.  By  Annie  Thomns.. 
Maxwell Drewitt.  ByMrs.J.H.KiJuell 
TheToilers of theSea.  By VictorHugo 
Miss  Marjoribanks.  By  Mrs. Oliphant. 
True  History  of  a  Little  Bagnmuffln. 

By  James  Greenwood 

Gilbert  Rugge.   By  the  Author  of  "A 

First  Friendship" 1  00 

Sans  Merci.     By  Geo.  Lawrence 50 

Pheraie  Keller.  By  Mrs.  J.  H.  Riddell  50 

Land  at  Last.  By  Edmund  Yates. ...  60 
Felix  Holt,  the  Radical.  By  Geo.  ICliot. 
Bound  to  the  Wheel.  By  John  Saunders 
All  in  the  Dark.  By  J.  S.  Lo  Fanu. 
Kissing  the  Roil.  ]^-]  Jliiinund  Yates 
The  l{ace  for  Wc-Uth.    By  Mrs.  J.  II. 

Riddell 75 

Lizzie  Lorton  of  Greyrigg.     By  Mis. 

Linton 75 

Tlie  Beauclcrcs,  FaHier  and  Son.    By 

C.  Clarke 50 

Sir  Brook  Fossbrooke.  By  Chas.  Lever  50 

Sladonna  Mary.     By  Mrs.  01i)ihant  .  60 

Ciadock  Nowell.  By" R.D.Blackmore.  75 
Bernthal.     From  the  German  of  L. 

Muhlbach SO 

Rachel's  Secret 7,-, 

TheClnverings.  ]!y  Anthony  Trollope.  60 
Tlie  Village  on  the  Cliti".     By  Miss 

Thack(>ray,,.,.,,,,,.,,„ , os 

riayed  Out.     By  Annie  Thomas 75 

Black  Sheep.     By  Edmund  Yate-! SO 

Sowing  the  Wind.'  By  E.  Lynn  Linton.  60 

>'ora  and  Aichib;ilJ  Lee 50 


75 


60 


50 


to 
75 
50 
75 


292. 
293, 
294, 

295. 
296. 
297, 
298, 
299. 
300, 

301, 
302. 
3U3. 
304. 
305. 
806. 

.■i07. 
.308. 
309. 

310. 
311. 

312. 
313. 
314. 
315. 
316. 
317. 

318. 
319. 

320. 
321. 

322, 

323. 
324. 
325. 
32G. 
327. 
328. 
329. 
330. 
331. 
332. 
333. 
334. 
335. 
336. 

337. 
338. 
339. 
340. 
341. 
342. 
343. 
344. 

345. 

346. 
317. 

348. 
349. 


rmioi 

Raymond's  Heroine $  50 

Mr.Wynyard'sWard.   By  Holme  Lee.  50 

Alec  Forbes.     By  George  Mac<lonald  75 

No  Man's  Friend.  By  F.W.Robinson.  76 

Called  to  Account.    By  Annie  Thumas  60 

Caste 5« 

The  Curate's  Discipline.  ByMrs.Kiloart  SO 

Circe.     By  Babington  W'hite 50 

The  Tenants  of  Malory.    By  J.  S.  Le 

i'anu 50 

Carlyon's  Year.     By  James  Favn 25 

The  Waterdale  Neighbors '. 50 

Mabel's  Progress 60 

Guild  Court.     By  Geo.  Macdonald...  60 

'J'he  Brothers'  Bet.     By  Miss  Carlen.  25 
Playing  for  High  Stakes.     By  Annie 

Thomas.     Illustrated 25 

Margaret's  Engagement 60 

One  of  the  Family.     By  James  I'ayn.  25 
Five  Hundred  Pounds  Reward.     Viy 

a  Barrister 60 

Brownlowg.     By  Mrs.  Oliphant 38 

Charlotte's    Inheritance.      Sefjuel    to 

"  Birds  of  Prey. "    By  Miss  braddon  60 

Jeanie's  Quiet  Life.    By  Eliza  Tabor.  60 

Poor  Humanity.    By  Y.  W.  Kobinsyn  60 

Brnkespeare.    "  By  Geo.  Lawrence 50 

A  Lost  Name.     By  J.  S.  Le  Fanu....  50 

Love  or  Marriage?    By  W.  Black....  50 
Dead  -  Sea  Fruit.     By  Miss  Braddon. 

Illustrated 50 

The  Dower  House.  By  Annie  Thomas  60 
1  he  Bramleighs  of  Bishop's  Follv.  By 

Lever \ so 

Mildred.     By  Georgiana  M.  Crnik....  60 
Nature's  Nobleman.     By  the  Author 

of  "Rachel's  Secret" 50 

Kathleen.     By  the  Author  of  "Itoy- 

mond's  Heroine" ."..  50 

ThatBoyofNorcott's.  By  Chas.  Lever  25 

In  Silk  Attire.     By  W.  Black 50 

Hetty.     By  Heniy  Kingsley 25 

False  Colors.     By  Annie  Thomas 60 

Meta's  Faith.    By  Eliza  Tabor 50 

Found  Dead.     By  James  Payn 50 

Wrecked  in- Port.     By  Edmund  Yates  ."50 

The  Minister's  Wife.  By  Mrs.  Oliphant  75 

A  Beggar  on  Horseback.  By  Jas.Payn  35 

Kitty.     By  M.  Betham  Edwards 50 

Only  Herself.     By  Annie  Thomas  ....  50 

Ilirell.     By  John  Saunders 50 

Under  Foot.     By  Alton  Clyde 50 

So  Runs  the  World  Awav.'  By  Mrs. 

A.  C.  Steele '. 60 

B.iffled.     By  Jidia  Goddard 75 

Beneath  the'Wheels 60 

Stem  Necessity.     By  F.  W.  Robinson  60 

Gwendoline's  Harvest.  ByJamesPayn  23 

Kilmeny.     By  William  Black 60 

John:  A  Love  Story.  ByMrs.Olipbant  50 

True  to  Herself.    By  F.  W.  Robin=nn  50 
Vernnica.     By  the  Author  of  ".Ala- 

bel's  Progress  " £0 

A  Dangerous  Guest.     By  the  Author 

of  "Gilbert  Rugge" 50 

Estelle  Russell iK 75 

of  "Raymond's  Heroine" 50 

Which  is  the  Heroine 'i*   50 

The  Vivian  Romance.     By  Mortimer 

Collins 50 


Harper's  Library  of  SeUct  Novels. 


3.-0. 
351. 

S52. 

3,-3. 
354. 

3.-,.-. 
350. 
857. 
358. 

350. 

SCO. 
3G1. 

3C2. 

3fi3. 
CM. 
3G5. 
36G. 
307. 
308. 
3G*J. 

370. 
371. 
372. 
373. 
374. 
375. 
370. 
377. 
37(i. 

379. 

380. 
381. 
382. 
383. 

3S4. 


380. 
387. 

388. 
SS9. 
39U. 
391. 
392. 
393. 

39 1. 

395. 
390. 

307. 
398. 


TBIOX 

In  Ihitynouml.    IllustrnteJ $  50 

The  \V'arJen  and  Barcbcster  Towers. 

15y  A.  Trollope 75 

From  Thiallea  —  Graj  j?     IJy  Mrj. 

Kiloart 50 

A  Siren.     Hy  T.  A.  Trollope 50 

^ir  Harry  IIots|)ur  of  llumblethwaito. 

Hy  Anthony  Trollope.    lUiistmtcU...  50 

Earl's  Dene.     Hy  li.  K.  Kroju  illon....  50 

Dai.sy  Niohol.     Hy  Lady  Hiirdy 50 

Urcd  in  the  Hone.  By  James  I'ayn..  50 
Fcnton's  Quest.     Hy  Miss  Hraddon. 

Illustrated 50 

Monarch  of  Mincing -Lane.     By  W. 

Black.     Illustrated CO 

A  Life's  Assize.  By  Mrs.  J.  II.  Kiddell  60 
Aiiteros.      By  the  Author  of  "Uuy 

Livingstone  " 50 

Her  Lord  and  Master.    By  Mrs.  Boss 

Church 50 

Won — Not  Wooed.     By  James  I'ayn  50 

I'or  Lack  of  Gold.    By  Chas.  Gibbon  50 

Aune  Funicss 75 

A  Daughter  of  Heth.     By  W.  Black.  50 

Durnton  Abbey.     By  T.  A.  Trollope.  50 

Joshua  Marvel.  By  B.  L.  Farjeon...  40 
Lovels  of  Arden.    By  M.  K.  Braddon. 

Illustrated 75 

Fair  to  See.     By  L.  W.  M.  Lockhart.  75 

Cecil's  Tryst.     By  James  Pay n 50 

Batty.     By  Katharines.  Macquoid...  50 

Maud  Mohan.     Bv  Annie  Thomas....  25 

Grif.     By  B.  L.  Farjeon 40 

A  Bridge  of  Glass.  By  F.  W.  Uobiuson  50 

Albert  Lunel.     By  Lord  Brougham..  75 

A  Good  Investment.  By  Wm.  Flagg.  50 
A  Golden  Sorrow.     By  Mrs.  Cashel 

Hoey 50 

Ombra.     By  Mrs.  Oliphant 75 

Hope  Deferred.     Hv  Kliza  F.  Bollard  .50 

The  Maid  of  Sker.  By  K.  D.  Blackmore  75 

For  the  King.  By  Charles  Gibbon...  50 
A  Girl's  Romance,  and  Other  Tales. 

By  F.  W.  Robinson 50 

Dr."  Wainwright's  I'atient.  By  Ed- 
mund Yates 50 

A  Passion  in  Tatters.  ByAnnioThomas  75 

A  Woman's  Vengeance.  ByJas.  Payn.  50 
The  Strange  Adventures  of  a  Phaeton. 

By  William  Black 75 

To  the  Bitter  End.    Hy  Miss  Braddon.  75 

Robin  Gray.     By  Charles  Gibbon 50 

Godul])liin.     By  Bulwer 50 

Leila.     By  Bulwer r.O 

Kcnclm  Ciiillingly.  By  Lord  Lytton.  75 
The  Hour  and  the  Man.     By  Harriet 

Martiiieau 50 

Jlurphy's  Master.    By  James  Payn...  25 

The  Xew  Magdalen.  By  Wilkie Collins.  50 
"  'lie  Cometh  Not,'  She  Said."    By 

Annie  Thomas 50 

Innocent.  By  Mrs. Oliphant.  Illustrated  75 

Too  Soon.     By  Mrs.  Maccjuoid 50 


ruoa 

399.  Strangers   and   Pilgrims.      By  Miss 

Braddon %  75 

400    A  Simpleton.     By  Charles  Reade 50 

40'.  Thi  Two  Widows.   By  Annie  Thomas  50 

402.  Joseph  the  Jew 50 

403.  Her  Face  was  Her  Fortune.     By  F. 

W.  Robinson 50 

404.  A  Princess  of  Thule.     By  W.  Black.  7,'i 

405.  Lottie  Darling.     By  J.  C.  Jcaffreson.  75 

400.  The  Blue  Ribbon.     By  Eliza  Tabor.  50 

407.  Harry  Heatbcote  of  Gangoil.    By  An- 

thony Trollope 25 

408.  Publicans  and  Sinners.     By  Miss  M. 

E.  Braddon 75 

409.  Colonel  Dacre.  By  Author  of  "Caste"  50 

410.  Through  Fire  and  Water.     By  E'red- 

erick  Talbot 25 

411.  Lady  Anna.      By  Anthony  Trollope.  60 

412.  Taken  at  the  Flood.  By  Miss  Braddon.  75 

413.  At  Her  Mercy.     Hy  James  Payn 50 

414.  Ninety-Three.     By  Victor  Hugo 25 

4 1 5.  For  Love  and  Life.  By  Mrs.  Oliplinnt.  75 
4!0.  Doctor  Thome.  By  Anthony  Trollojie.  75 

417.  The  Best  of  Husbands.    ByJas.Pa\n.  50 

418.  Svlvia'sChoice.  ByGeorgianaM.Craik  50 

419.  A'SackofGold.  ByMiss V.W.Johnson  50 

420.  Squire  Arden.     By  Mrs.  Oliphant 75 

421.  Lorna  Doo.e.     By  ]{.  L.  Blackmore.  75 

422.  Treasure  Hunters.  By  Geo.  M.  I'enn.  40 
42.5.  Lost  for  Love.  By  Miss  Braddon....  75 
424.  Jack's  Sister.    By  Miss  Dora  Htivcrs.  75 

42.5.  Aileen  Ferrers.  By  Susan  Morley 50 

42(;.  The  Love  tliat  Lived.  By  Mrs.Eiloart.  50 

427.  In  Honor  Bound.   By  Charles  Gibbon.  50 

428.  Jessie  Trim.    By  B.  L.  Farjeon .50 

429.  Hagarene.     By  George  A.  Lawrence.  75 

430.  Old  Mvddelton's  Money.     By  Marv 

Ceeiriliiv     .'.  50 

431.  At  the  Sig         the  Silver  Flagon.    V.y 

B.  L.  Farjeon 40 

432.  A   Strange  World.     By  Jliss  M.  K. 

Braddon 75 

433.  Hope  Meredith.     By  Eliza  Tabor 60 

434.  The   Maid   of   Killeena,  and    Otiier 

Stones.     By  William  Black 60 

435.  The  lilossomingof  an  Aloe.     ByJIrs. 

Cashel  Hoey 60 

43G.  Safelv  Married.     By  the  Author  of 

"Caste  " 60 

437.  The    Story    of  Valentine;    and   his 

Brother 75 

4.18.  Our  Detachment.  By  Katharine  King.  50 

4.'>9.  Love's  Victory.   By  B.  L.  Farjeon 25 

440.   Alice  Lorraine.  By  R.  1).  Blackmore.  75 

4(1,  Walter's  Word.    Bv  James  Pavn 75 

412.  I'lf,..!.:?  the  Mischief.     By  J.  W.  IJe 

Fore-t '5 

443.  The  I.adv  Superior.    Bv  Eliza  F.  I'ol- 

lard...." 50 

444.  Iseulte.     Bv  the  Author  of  "Vera," 

'•Hotel  du  Petit  St.  Jean."  &c 50 

44.5.   Eglantine.     Hv  Eliza  Tabor 50 

440.  WardorWife? 25 


£^~  Harper  &  BsWTHEKS  tMI  send  their  -works  by  mail,  f  estate  frcfaiJ,  to  any  fart  of  the 


iU  ot'i 


"V   "J    ""i" 


SUMMER  BOOK-LIST. 

HT  Harper  4  Brothers  will  itnd  any  c/  the  following  books  hy  mail,  posta^i  f  repaid,  to  any  fart  0/  tkt 

Unitid  Stairs  or  Canada,  on  receipt  0/  tlit  prSe. 

jy  Harper's  New  and  Enlarged  Catalogue,  with  a  Complete  Analytical  Index,  sent  ty  mail  on 

receipt  of  Ten  Cents. 

Drake's  Nooks  and  Corners  of  the  New  England  Coast. 

Nooks  and  Comers  of  the  New  England  Coast.  By  Samuel  Adam§  Drake,  Autlior  of 
"Old  Landmarks  of  Boston,"  " Historic  Fields  and  Mansions  of  Middlesex,"  &e.  With 
numerous  Illustrations.    8vo,  Cloth,  $3  CO. 

Monheean;  Wells  and  "Agamcnticns,  the  nnclciit 
city"  of  York;  Kittery  Point :  "Tlic  Slioals;"  Kew- 
castle;  Salem  and  Marblehead ;  Plymouth  and  Diir- 
bury;  Nantucket,  or  "Naatican;"  Newport,  whicli 


Mr.  Samuel  Adams  Drske  does  for  the  New  England 
const  such  service  as  Mr.  Nordhoff  has  done  for  the  Pa- 
cific. His  "  Nooks  and  Comers  of  the  New  England 
Coast,"  a  volume  of  4S9  pages,  is  an  admirable  guide 
both  to  the  lover  of  the  picturesque  and  the  searcher 
for  historic  lore,  as  well  as  to  stay-at-home  travellers. 
The  "Preface"  tells  the  story  of  the  book:  It  Is  a 
sketch  map  of  the  coa?t,  with  the  motto:  "On- this 
line,  if  it  lakes  all  Summer."  "Summer"  began  with 
Mr.  Unike  one  Christmas  day  at  Mount  Desert,  whence 
he  went  South,  touching  at  Castine,  I'emaquia,  and 


""•/  ,  Aiuu,ui.Kd,  \j\.  xiitufcitnii  :  iiewport,  wnicu 
monopolizes  fifty  pages ;  Mount  Hope :  New  London : 
Norwich  and  Saybrook.  What  nature  has  to  show 
and  history  to  tell  at  each  of  these  places,  who  were 
the  heroes  and  worthies— all  this  Mr.  Drake  gives  la 
pleasant  talk  :  and  three  hundred  woodcut  views, 
maps,  and  portraits  add  very  mucti  to  the  interest  or 
bis  text.-A'.  Y.  Tribune. 


Sermons  ont  of  Church.    By  the  Author  of  "John  Halifax." 

12mo,  Cloth,  $1  50.     (Nearly  Ready.) 

Thomas  Carlyle's  Early  Kings  of  Norway. 

Tlio  Early  Kings  of  Norway :  also  an  Essay  on  the  Portraits  of  John  Knox.  Dv  Thomas 
Caulyle,  Author  of  "The  History  of  Friedrich  II.  called  Frederick  the  Great,' ""History 
of  the  French  Revolution,"  "Past  and  Present,"  &c.     12mo,  Cloth,  $1  oO. 

It  h.as  the  picturesque  qualities  so  familiar  In  his 
style. — Saturday  Kvcnimj  Oazette,  Kostoo. 


The  essay  on  the  portraits  of  Kuox  is  altogether 
charming.— rinif/t,  Philadelphia. 

In  historical  portrait-painting  there  is  certainly  no 
writer  now  living  at  uU  comparable  to  M  r.  Carlyle,  and 


these  sketches  show  him  at  his  best.  The  book  Is  very 
well  worth  reading  as  an  example  how  a  man  of  genius 
can  resuscitate  into  real  vitality  for  himself  and  his 
contemporaries  the  bearers  of  what,  to  the  readers  of 
ordinary  history  books,  remain  forever  dead  and 
meaningless  names.— ..V.  Y.  World. 


De  Forest's  Playing  the  Mischief. 


Flavins  the  Mischief.     A  Novel.     By  J.  W.  De  Forest,  Author  of  "Miss  Kavoncrs  Con- 
version  from  Secession  to  Loyalty,"  "  European  Acquaintance,"  &c.     8vo,  Paper,  75  cents. 

Blackmore's  Alice  Lorraine, 

Alice  Lorraine.   A  Tale  of  the  South  Downs.    By  U.  D.  Blackmoke,  Author  of  "  Cradock 
Nowell,"  "  Maid  of  Skcr,"  &c.     8vo,  Paper,  75  cents. 

Mr.  Blackmore  always  writes  like  a  scholar  and  a 
gentleman,  and  his  last  novel,  produced  at  a  due  inter- 
val, shows  no  falling  off,  either  iu  descriptive  iM)wer 
or  in  the  playful  vein  of  humor,  nutainted  by  cvnicism. 
wrnirh  rhjirme/l  no  \rx  "  Tjin  M;*.:.^  of  .SU.t"  "T.i\  **^--.-_ 
na  \ionne."—Athenceum,  London. 

Mr.  Blackmore  almost  makes  us  breathe  the  health- 
ful air  of  the  Sonth  Downs  in  the  pages  of  this  novel. 
We  rise  refreshed  and  inspirited  from  the  perusal.  *  •  • 
It  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  Mr.  Dlackmore  has  nevM 
produced  superior  work HxavAner,  London. 


"  Alice  Lorraine  "  will  be  enjoyed  by  every  one  who 
reads  novels.  •  •  •  This  quaint  and  charming  story.- 
Times,  London. 

The  tale  is  a  delicious  <  le ;  delicious  In  the  manner 
•fits  telling,  as  well  as  for  the  manner  of  its  setiinff. 
— yviun/tjunHini,  London. 

For  tlie  rest  we  will  only  my  that  Mr.  Blackmore's 
"Alice  Lorraine"  will  sustain  bis  reputation  asoiie  of 
onr  best  English  novelists.  Seldom  have  we  come 
across  so  fresh  and  pleasant  a  prose  IdyW,— Saturday 
Revine,  London. 


tfarper  6-  Brothers'  List  of  Xcw  Books. 


Miss  Thackeray's  Miss  Angel. 

Miss  AnRcl.     A  Novel.     Hy  Mis,  Tiiacrerat,  Author  of  "  Old  Kensington,"  "The  Vil- 
Lige  on  the  Chfi;"  "  Bhiebcara's  Kevs,"  ic.     With  Illustrations,     tfvo,  Paf«;r,  75  cenis. 

Myers's  Remains  of  Lost  Empires. 

Remains  of  Lost  Emriircs :   Skcu-lics  of  the  Ruins  of  ralrnvra,  Nineveh,  Babvlon,  and  Ter- 

sipilis,  with  bomc  Notes  on  India  and  the  Cashmeriaa  Himalayas.     By  T.  V.  N.  Mveus 

A.M.     Illustrations.     Crown  8vo,  Cloth,  $3  60.  * 


The  u'rniHl  desiilatlon  of  mined  cltli-s  li  described 
witli  til.-  ;ip|)ri'clnilim  of  one  who  takes  pli!U!<urc  iu 
the  coiitiiii|)liitiim  of  tlie  tujii.'oi'tloiis  tlioy  inspire, 
wlillo  tlie  present  c.inditkiu  uf  the  luuds  tniverwd 
niid  tliiir  pctiplcs  Is  amply  set  fortti. — Hoaton  iMilu 
Ailcfrti.irr. 

It  consists  rhicfly  of  n  description  of  Irenes  rather 
than  a  Liirrativo  of  incideuti'.  The  iiilbrmutioii,  of 
course,  can  not  lay  claim  to  nhsoUite  ii,)v< '  ^g  lt  .a 
foiiiide.!  on  the  experience  iit  previons  '.-rs  as 

well  UH  tliat  of  Ihe  writor,  but  the  ciimpo«i,i.,n  .>f  the 
work  has  a  youtliful  freshness  and  cluw  which  amply 
compcnt^ates  for  any  lack  t>f  orlu'inalltv.  Kvery  de- 
fcriplioii  hears  the  slamp  of  the  author's  own  niind, 
nnd  the  ^'eiifial  reflections  in  which  he  often  indiil^'es 
are  apt  and  bn^'t'cstive.  Mr.  Jlyers  is  uever  careless  or 


f nperflcial ;  the  fiRns  of  Eenulne  work  are  vinlhle  on 
every  pat;e.  and  Inspire  a  conflilencu  iu  his  otaiemenls 
which  is  not  always  accorded  to  more  nmbitlous  writ- 
ers, lie  is  evidently  more  Intent  on  truth  than  effect, 
and  If  scene-painters  of  ("renter  pretension  and  of  su- 
perior brillittucy  have  preceded  him  amiilst  the  tem- 
oles  of  Palmyra  and  I'ersepolis,  aud  the  palaces  of 
Mneveh  and  Babylim,  he  may  claim  at  least  tlie  merit 
of  faithful  observation  and  study,  and  of  exact  aud 
felicitous  description,— ,V.  1'.  Tnbunt. 

Mr.  Myers's  book  Impresses  the  reader  as  belnc  » 
thorou^inly  conscieutions  work.  What  he  started  out 
to  do  be  has  done  carefully;  and  In  this  record  of  hia 
travels  he  has  not  allowed  purely  personal  experiences 
to  divert  tlie  current  of  hia  narrative  from  Its  mala 
object.— .V.  1'.  l'ime«. 


Mrs.  Olipliant's  TIic  Story  of  Valentine  and  his  Brother. 

The  Story  of  Valentino  nnd  hii  lirothcr.     A  Novel.     By  Mrs.  OLirnANT,  Author   of 
"Chronicles  of  Carlingford,"  "For  Lovo  and  Life,"  ic.,  &c.     8vo,  Paper,  75  cents. 


It  is  a  beautiful  tale,  told  with  sinjnilar  f  >rce  anfl 
vivacity,  nnd  marked  by  many  of  those  discrlmina- 
Unu  touches  which  distiniruish  the  work  of  the  true 
artist  from  that  of  the  ordinary  novel-maker.  *  •  * 
Breezy  and  wholesome  throusjhout,  it  is  full  of  life, 
nnd  full,  therefore,  of  the  interest  which  all  genuine 
life  calls  forth. — Spertatnr,  London. 

As  a  story  and  a  study  of  Scottish  life,  "Valentine 
and  bis  Urolher"  Is  simply  a  masterpiece.  •  •  *  We 
have  rarely  read  any  thing  tlncr  than  the  manner  in 
which  the  character  of  the  healthy,  kindly,  but  dignl- 
ticd  old  Lady  Eskside  is  developed.    We  may  charac- 


terize the  story  ns  one  of  singular  power  on  the  side 
of  plot  aud  Invention  ;  rare  skill  is  shown  in  devising 
situations  and  using  them,  and  In  faithfully  develoi). 
lug  wide  varieties  of  character,  In  which  process  hu- 
mor, fancy,  satire,  and  knowledge  of  the  world,  play 
their  several  parts.    As  a  story.'we  are  not  sure  that 

Mrs.  Oliphant  has  ever  written  any  thing  better 

liritinh  QriarterVj  Review. 

This  is  really  a  charming  story,  in  which  Mrs.  Oli- 
phant hits  quite  surpassed  herself.  •  •  •  (me  of  the 
very  best  of  Mrs.  Ollphaut'a  many  clever  works.— 
Horning  J'ott,  lAludou. 


Clark's  Work  of  God  in  Great  Britain. 


The  Work  of  God  in  Great  Britain:  under  SIcssrs.  Jlnody  and  S.inkcv,  1873  to  1875, 
With  Biographical  Sketches.     By  liuius  W.  CLAitK,  D.D.     I'.'mo,  Cloth,  81  50. 

touching  and  wonderful  incidents,  the  jienisnl   of 


It  is  a  complete  and  very  stirring  description  of  this 
powerful  religious  movement,  and  affords  a  clear  view 
of  its  causes,  methods,  and  development.- i'o«Jwn  Jo«r- 

It  is  exceedingly  impressive  and  interesting  — giv- 
ing, comprehensively  and  compactly,  a  full  and  lucid 
narrative  of  the  series  of  wonderful  meetings  wtiicU 
have  beer,  held  by  these  Evangelists  in  Great  Britain 
and  Irelaud  daring  the  past  year.  •  *  *    It  is  full  of 


which  can  not  fail   to  impress  the  heart  of  every 
thoughtful  reader.— .1  ?'««!/  Kvettimj  Juurnat. 

The  work  of  Dr.  Clark  is  the  most  complete  compi- 
lation of  facts  relating  to  the  Moody-Sankey  revival 
which  has  yet  appeared ;  and,  whatever  view  mav  be 
taken  of  their  work  andtbe  permauenceof  its  resiilts, 
his  book  can  not  be  read  without  interest.  —  fWco 


Miss  Pollard's  The  Lady  Superior. 


The  Lady  Superior.     A  No-  el.     By  Eliza  F.  Pollaed,  Author  of  "  Hope  Deferred,  '  &c. 
8vo,  Paper,  50  cents. 

Songs  of  Our  Youth. 

Songs  of  Our  Youth.    By  the  Author  of  "John  IIahfax,  Gentleman."     Set  to  Music, 
Square  4to,  Cloth,  Illuminated,  $2  50. 


There  is  a  charming  rmitctd  about  the  "Songs  of 
Our  Youth,"   together  with   a   simple  earnestucss, 


deed,  they  but  exprofs  in  another  form  many  of  the 
sentiments  and  moods  of  mind  with  which  the  read- 
ers of  Mrs.  Craik's  works  are  already  familiar,  nnd 
they  will,  we  feel  sure,  endear  her  name  more  than 
ever  t-i  her  admirers.  The  music  has  been  selected 
promUcuously  from  popular  German,  .Swedish,  and 
Vrsuch  airs.    There  are  also  some  very  fine  old  Oallic 


and  old  English  airs.  A  few  of  the  songs  have  been 
set  to  music  hy  the  authoress  herself,  and  verv  gracR. 
I'tiiiy ;  while  others  appear  lo  owe  tneir  accornpanl- 
ments  to  living  composers.  *  *  *  There  Is,  however, 
scarcely  a  song  in  this  little  volume  which  is  not 
more  or  less  worthy  of  pr.alse ;  and,  as  the  accompani- 
ments are  extremely  simple,  and  the  range  of  voice 
in  most  of  them  exuemclv  modest,  we  do  not  doubt 
that  "The  Songs  of  Our  Youth"  will  find  abundnut 
patronai;*.— £zamin«r,  Loudon. 


Harper  &'  Brothers'  List  of  New  Books. 


Dr.  Livingstone's  Last  Jonrnais. 

Tliu  Last  Journnl.  of  DiiviJ  LiviiiK-stonc-  in  rcntral  Africa,  from  18C5  to  his  Death  Con 
tinucU  l,y  a  Narrative  of  hi.  Last  .M,„ncn  .  nn-i  SHtferinj,-,,  obtainc.l  fro»,  l,is  r.,ii!.|-„l 
.Sorva.it.  Chuma  and  Susi  Hy  lI.,uAct  Wam.k:.,  F.U.O.S..  Hector  of  Twv«WI.  Norlh- 
nrnpton.  \V  .th  Map*  anJ  IllnstrafmH.  hvo.  Cloth,  $5  00.  CI.ch,,,  Popular  Kaniun,  8vo, 
Cloth,  with  Map  and  Illustrations,  $2  r,0.  ' 


Ai  the  record  of  the  clonlnfr  yearn  ,)f  one  of  the 
mo«t  heroic  liven  ever  upent  In  BcleuUtlc  resean  h,  or 
•acrlntcj  at  the  call  of  phllaulhropy,  thiH  vipliinie  N 
uotahle  lu  lllorature.  To  class  It  wuli  uraiimry  books 
of  travel  (lenreclates  Its  dl^jnlty  and  detracts  from  ll« 
value.  Had  we  not  l)ceu  made  fumillar  with  the  lead- 
Ins  Incidents  of  the  story  durinjf  the  last  tw.>  or  tliri'C 
years,  it  would  be  set  down  as  too  ronmnllc  for  belief, 
even  by  the  most  credulous.  The  eutire  liicrnture 
or  travel  contains  no  other  rccora  po  wonderful  as 
this ;  and  as  there  Is  now  no  explorer  in  any  tleld  with 
whom  the  civilized  world  is  in  such  full  and  active 
sympathy  as  It  was  with  Llvln;pftone,  so  it  is  certain 
that  no  narrative  appeallni,'  as  this  docs  to  all  lovers 
of  humanity,  can  be  written  during  the  present  iien- 
eratlon.  It  seems  little  less  than  mlracuI()U8,  In  view 
or  all  the  vicissitudes  to  which  It  was  exposed,  that 
this  rei-i.rd  of  the  last  seven  years  of  Livint-stoue's 
Jire  should  have  been  spared  intact.— .V.  )'.  Timet, 

In  ISM  Dr.  Llvinffstone  left  the  coaPt,  and  lu  1S73 
died  on  the  shores  of  a  freat  lake  which  he  had  dbi- 
covercd.  During  these  seven  years'  wauderiuiis  he 
Kept  a  diary,  which  has  been  broujrht  home,  and  is 
round  to  be  complete :  not  an  entry  is  missinir.  Nor 
IS  that  all.  The  diary  is  not,  as  might  have  been  snn- 
posed,  a  mere    tfnerarv,  with  a  few  brief  notes  and 

?,T.'i"ioi"i  "  '.."  '"".""''  ''«"'"«'l  n«rratlve  of 
travel,  with  descriptions  of  scenery  copied  from  uatare 
on  the  sijot,  remarks  on  the  manners  and  customs  of 
the  natives,  anecdotes  of  the  habits  of  wild  animals, 
?°„f '"m  "["k"*^  physical  geography  of  the  countrici 
,,»«  I,!,',;'  7  ""'  r™"'  explorer-countries  for  the  most 
part  hitherto  unknown.  •  •  •  This  book  Is  not  only  a 
btory  of  adventure;    it  Is  also  a  confesBion  of  the 


heart.  Hero  the  true  man  Is  revealed.  Hire  we  read 
w<,rds  written  down  in  a.lversity  and  Miil.riug  br 
Olio  who  walked  with  Death,  and  who  loipears  li 
have  foiescoa  his  melancholy  fatc-atAt-uiuw,  Lon- 

Dr  Livingstone  Is  the  grandest  Hgure  In  the  long 
annuls  or  Alrlcan  e.Tuli.ratlon  and  diKcovpi y.  Ue  wiu 
of  true  tierotc  m  jul.l,  brave,  but  not  covetuus  of  dan- 
ger r.ir  the  sake  of  displaying  bravery,  strou-  of  heart 
and  Hrm  of  purpose.-. V.  1'.  fcrnW. 

There  is  no  book  of  African  travel  which  compares 
In  interest  with  these  note-hooks.  It  fs  b»-cau«e  ther 
give  us  a  printed  photograph  of  the  great  man  who 
w  ^ite  them,  not  Intending  that  they  should  meet  the 
public  eye  In  all  their  unreserved  fraukne-s.  There 
is  nothing  more  pathetic  In  literature  than  tlic  picture, 
eeir-drawn,  of  this  indcmiltablu  old  man  J.nirneylu.' 
with  iuliime  labor,  to  his  death  In  the  marshes  ol 
llangweolo.  and  spurred  on  by  a  madness  \«hich  ho 
bimeelf  half  suspected.  It  is  a  book  uniquo  among 
the  library  of  books  of  African  adventure,  and  he  who 
can  read  its  lost  pages  with  undimmed  eyc>  must  be 
unable  to  appreciate  heroism  and  to  svi..  ..'th 

snfTerlng.-.V.  Y.  Wurld.  '    ' 

No  volume  of  African  travel  and  cxp1orati<ai  was  ever 
looked  for  with  more  eager  interest  than  "  The  Last 
Journals  of  David  Livingstone. This  deeply- 
interesting  volume,  which  we  heartily  commend  to  the 
notice  of  onr  readers.  It  is  profusely  llUistrated  with 
engravings,  many  of  them  from  Dr.  Livingstone's  own 
sketches,  and  two  finely-executed  maps,  prcriared  from 
the  great  traveler's  data,  enable  the  reader  to  ,ollow 
him  day  by  day  through  all  his  eventful  wanderings 
— >.  Y.  HveJiiny  Post. 


p-  ILvnpER  &  Brothers  also  publish  Dr.  lAvim atone  s  Sou'h  Africa,  8vo,  Cloth  ,«t4  ."50 
nn.  Ur.  Livingstone s  Xamheii  and  it,  Triiut^iries,  8vo,  Cloth,  $.-.  00.  In  these  tlirce  voh  nios  tho 
entire  and  only  authentic  history  of  Dr.  Livingstone's  Travel;  and  Kesearches  in  Africrb  gTvfn 


Benedict's  Mr.  Vaiighan's  Heir. 


vv  '^""*:I'??''  Vr'''"-T-'^  ^'"'■''-     "y  ^"■^'"^  ^■'-'^  nnN'EnicT,  Author  of  "My  D.inehter 
Ll.nor,"  '^Mtss  Van  Kortland,"  "  Miss  Dorothy's  Charge,"  &c.,  &c.     8vo,  Paper,  $1  00 


well-conceived,  dramatic,  and  forcible,  and  nowhere 
oversteps  the  modesty  of  nature,  even  n  its  moit  ab- 
nm^,n,fl  Ti  ""',•  '''^^  '^hamcters  are  develooed  wht 
?»nl»  "■""•," '"l- "'  V"'*' """'"l  <""  boldly  from  the 
canvas^  especially  the  four  principal  personages,  who 
arc  drawn  wUh  a  vigor  and  a  firmness  that  are  thor- 

fr^^H^^  v',""']  "  ^P"'«.^'''"ch  prove  particularly  at- 
tracUve.-Aatur(ia:/  Jitenimj  GomUc,  Boston. 


Mr.  Frank  Lee  Benedict  Is  rapidly  winning  for  hlm- 
Fc.ra  roremost  rank  among  rising  American  novelists 
His  work  shows  nnmietakable  evidences  of  thou.'ht 
carefaluess,  and  the  true  novelist's  instinct.  He  con- 
stantly and  steadily  Improves,  each  book  he  gives  to 
the  world  heing  an  advance  in  point  of  skill  and  art 
iipon  Its  predecessor  from  the  same  hand.  •  •  •  Mr 
Benedict's  latest  story,  "Mr.  Vaughan's  Heir,"  is  in  all 
respects  a  brilliant  and  an  Interesting  one.    Its  plot  is 

Benedict's  St.  Simon's  Niece. 

St.  Simons  Niece.    A  NoveL    By  Frank  Lle  Benedict.     8vo,  Paper.    {Nearlj  Ready.) 

Goodwin's  Christ  and  Humanity. 

Discourses  on  Christ  and  Ilutnnnity,  with  a  Review,  IIistoric.nl  and  Critical   of  the  Doc 
tnncs  of  Christ  s  Person.     By  Henry  M.  Goouwun.     12mo,  Cloth,  $2  00 
We  are  confident  that  Mr.  Goodwin's  book  will  find 

a  hearing.    Its  temper  is  so  good,  its  learning  is  so 

ample,  its  style  so  pure,  and  its  arguments  so  cogent. 

that  it  deserves  the  resjiectful  study  of  all  wliS  ari 

Interested  in  chnstologlcal  problems.-/;kf<;;«,idcn«. 

Eliza  Tabor's  Hope  Meredith. 

!^'fo'''<>Tf 'ni    '\,^r'-..  f^  ^"'='  '^*"°"'  ^""""^  of  "S'-  Olavc-s,"  •' JcanicV  Quiet 
Life,    "The  Blue  Ribbon,"  &c.     8vo,  Paper,  50  cents.  v.uiiil»  vjmei 


The  Tolnme  is  in  every  way  creditable  to  the  au- 
thor 8  scholarship  and  Christian  feeling,  nnrt  will  fnr- 
meh  a  ferii.e  subject  of  discussion  in  ministerial  cir- 

^.•.  •^Vm''''7.".  "'"y  '*^''  '"  »  progress  of  Ihonght 
ou  this  difficult  theme.--liitian«,  Chicago.       """'•'" 


A  powerful  and  interesting  story.-Jformn^  Pont 
Hope  Meredith"  Is  a  work  of  nncommon  interest, 
and  shmvs  a  rare  grip  of  character.— .4  ra*mw. 

Mi«s  Tabor  Is  the  author  of  "SLOlave's,"  and  three 
or  four  other  novels  which  have  gained  popularity 


■with  the  reading  pnhllc.  Her  present  storv  is  oneof 
i-ngUsh  domestic  life,  is  somewhat  quiet  iii  tone,  bat 
IS  pure  ill  literary  style,  and  pervaded  by  nn  atmos- 
phere  of  naturalness  and  reflueineuL-Samriiai/  JSfeMt- 
mg  Gazette,  Bo.stou.  '  """" 


Harperjb^Brothers'  List  of  A>a,  Books. 


^°'Tl'*lftrril!:ti'ff',,f'«'''«''  'f  Political  Economy.   ' 

Apt  thin..  wH.,.nh.i.,„f,„„,,.,,,,     '^""""'•^  ^^"'j'  t-xi-ounded."      K..„„,  Cloth,  $1  r.O 


Bishop  Haven's  Mexico. 


Onr  Nixi-Door  Neiclil«,r.      Korent  Slofr.»,„.     i-  «r     . 


U,TI"!!r"'*  "'"'""■■'.PdBinent  r*«r)«ctlnff  this  ttni,™ 

TheamhoM.'lJt*.''''"!''''""'  "^  eiK^rtalnlng  .trie 
ha.  bccu  able  t,.  write  a  book  a.  agreeable  auSfil" 


Ward  or  Wife  ? 


K'lp  ewLiilupiit.  Ih-.     .u''  .   '    '"  lie'triiKPnedii. 

«»  «PI.r«clatl,,„  „r  th"u,llcron,  "■   ,'  L  ''»"  "','"■•» 
'JMutlfuJ  mirl  ii«  I    '"^  """(^rons  118  of  the  eraiid  and 

nmufed  readers.    It  is  vrii  pi  ln»7r»^. '^''''^^"'*'*  »■"* 

have  been  a  travflpr  Af  .,„,  iV        .     .     "*  ""eenu  to 
•■■>ted  every  thh.i'„rrth.„?''"i;,'"  '"''■«  '«"«'>  ""'I 


Ward  or  Wife?    A  Novel.     Illustrated.     8vo.  Paper.  25  eent.. 


Iscultc. 


Iseultc.     A  Novel.     By  the  Author  of 
8vo,  r.nper,  50  cents. 
A  thon-rhtljil,  well-wrltten  dtnry.    The  writer  .how. 


'Vera,"  "Tho  IlOtd  du  Petit  St.  Jean,"  &a 

riein.  •  •  •  Here  we  hl/bi''''  "i'^''^'^  '^""'  EiiRllt'h 
leate  handling  ami  jn.tenouph  of  ".r!"."""-  "■""'«'- 
est  to  the  vIvTd  ,lesrrintw,n.^f  ^'P'"'  '"  '■'"■«  'nter- 

"«y,  London.  e'lmpse  of  the  recent  war.-^«^ 


Masou's  Rape  of  the  Gamp. 

KapooftheGa.p.     A  Novo,.     13,  C.  Wk.sh  .W.     I„.trated.     fvo,  Paper,  Si  00, 


^d^rS."'"'""''"""'  '■"erest.-X  Y.  Commercial 

Payn's  Walter's  Word. 

«nons  the  bH,at.d.Sba'lTnr^a"t  thi  llifl.„''°7Jir.!  I  Srs'^f to\"  ^^^^^^^ 


en  of  decided  worth     Th^^i^T  ""  ""/"  <"■  «""'- 


